Survey on Counseling about Infant Nutrition Among Doctors on Practicing Pediatric Patients in Primary Medical Facilities

Doe, Eun Jung; Lee, Eun Sil; Shin, Son Moon

Abstract

PURPOSE: Through a survey undertaken among doctors practicing pediatric patients in primary medical facilities on nutrition during infancy, the present study was done to determine whether these doctors were giving appropriate advice on infant nutrition.
METHODS
We visited pediatric specialists(group one) and non-pediatric specialists or general practitioners(group two) who were practicing in Daegu to ask them to fill out a questionaire on infant nutrition.
RESULTS
When 10 points were given to each question for a total of 100 points, the results of the evaluation showed that the score in group one was 73.0+/-15.8 points and 45.1+/-18.4 points in group two, showing a significant difference. No statistical difference was seen in the scores between non-pediatric specialists and general practitioners. Each answer to each question on the feeding period of breast milk, on loose stools during breast milk feeding, methods to deal with jaundice during breast milk feeding, choice of commercial baby food, criteria on directing soy milk, and criteria of guiding infant cereal was different between group one and two.
CONCLUSION
The results of the present investigation showed that specialists in other fields or general practitioners were giving inappropriate advice on nutrition during the infant stage compared with pediatric specialists; thus, we need to confirm methods to prevent inappropriate consultations by specialists of other fields, together with continued education of pediatric specialists.