“Quantitative surveys conducted over the past four years have identified a gap between the high level of knowledge, and relatively low level of practice, among health care providers with respect to making specific recommendations about folic acid (FA), and with respect to the provision of preconceptional care.” (From “Needs Assessment Among Health Care Practitioners Regarding Gap between Guidelines and Practice with Respect to Folic Acid, 2006,” March of Dimes, CDC Report)
How do we close this gap? Listed below are links to national and state educational resources about folic acid and neural tube defects for health care professionals (HCPs).
Reports
Providers' Needs Assessment Regarding Recommending Folic Acid to Women of Childbearing Age, 2007
This qualitative needs assessment had several purposes:
- Identify reasons for the gap between knowledge and practice
- Identify how providers who do incorporate practice guidelines regarding folic acid and preconception care are able to do so
- Assess barriers to change
- Propose strategies or interventions that would lead to significant improvement in implementation of the guidelines within health care practices
The needs assessment was a collaboration between the March of Dimes and the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC).
Health Care Knowledge and Practices Regarding Folic Acid, United States, 2002-2003
Results of two surveys given to 1,111 health care providers in 2002-03 to assess their knowledge and practices regarding folic acid use for neural tube defect prevention. The surveys were conducted by the March of Dimes and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Go to the abstract or the article.
Citation: Williams JL, Abelman SM, Fassett EM, Stone CE, Petrini JR, Damus K, Mulinare J. Health care provider knowledge and practices regarding folic acid, United States, 2002-3003. Matern Child Health J 2006 10(5 Suppl):S67-72.
Improving Preconception Health: Women’s Knowledge and Use of Folic Acid
Since 1995, the March of Dimes has commissioned Gallup to conduct surveys to measure women's awareness and behavior relative to folic acid and other pre-pregnancy health issues. Several questions relate to HCPs.
Folic Acid Overview
This summary screen from March of Dimes Peristats provides information about folic acid and links to important related topics.
Learning Modules
Got a Minute?
This educational Web site provides information about folic acid. It includes a tutorial that can be read in 1 minute. Developed by the National Spina Bifida Association.
ABCs of Folic Acid Counseling
This educational Web site offers continuing education units (CEUs) for nurses and health educators. Developed by the National Spina Bifida Association in collaboration with CDC.
Advocating for Folic Acid: A Guide for Health Professionals
The goal of this interactive online module is to train health professionals and students to provide counseling about the benefits of folic acid in the prevention of birth defects and other conditions. Developed by the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) and the March of Dimes.
Folic Acid and the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects
This free educational CD-ROM, developed by perinatologist Dr. Jordan Perlow and produced by the Arizona March of Dimes Chapter, provides a background understanding of folic acid and neural tube defects.
Birth Defects Prevention: Realizing the Full Potential of Folic Acid
The aim of this archived Webinar is to increase knowledge and awareness of folic acid, its role in the prevention of birth defects, and the opportunities that exist in public health practice to increase the consumption of folic acid among women of childbearing age.
Before, Between and Beyond Pregnancy: The National Preconception Curriculum and Resources Guide for Clinicians
These online modules cover folic acid, neural tube defects and other preconception issues. Under development by the University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, and the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in conjunction with the CDC. CE credits offered.
- Module 1: Preconception Care: What It Is and What It Isn't
- Module 2: Every Woman, Every Time: Integrating Health Promotion into Primary Care
- Module 3: Maximizing Prevention: Targeted Care for Those with High Risk Conditions
- Module 4: In Between Time: Interconceptional Care for Those with Previous Poor Outcomes
- Module 5: Babies to Adolescents: Incorporating Preconception Health Promotion into the Pediatric Visit
Tools
Folic Acid Everyday Toolkit
This training kit guides health educators, nutritionists and discussion leaders through individual and group lessons and activities designed to educate women, especially those considering pregnancy, on the benefits of folic acid in a healthy diet. The kit includes:
- A facilitator's master notebook, which includes lessons plans, discussion topics and handouts
- An interactive CD-ROM with a PowerPoint slide presentation
- Videos on folic acid (10 minutes) and prevention of neural tube defects (22 minutes)
Originally produced for the Florida Department of Health and the March of Dimes.
Health Care Provider’s Tips
Informational cards designed for health care professionals who serve women of childbearing age. Specific cards are available for obstetrician-gynecologists, pediatricians, primary care providers, dieticians and pharmacists. The cards summarize folic acid recommendations. Available free from CDC.
Folic Acid Counseling, Pocket Card
The English version is a quick-reference card for health care professionals that fits in the white-coat pocket. The Spanish version is designed for community educators. Developed by the Spina Bifida Association.
Office Champion Program
A health care professional education initiative developed by the North Carolina Folic Acid Council (NCFAC). The program provides in-office educational sessions in public and private health care settings throughout North Carolina. The Office Champion, a volunteer at each office, remains in contact with NCFAC’s regional coordinator and encourages the HCPs within the office to talk to all patients of childbearing age about multivitamins with folic acid.
An archived Webcast describes the program. An educational video is available online
Contact Linda Morgan, Linda.morgan@msj.org for more information.
