Measuring self-efficacy in substance abuse intervention in obstetric practices

Background. This study presents findings on the effect of an office-based o bstetrics training program (given the acronym OBIWOM) on substance use asse ssment, management, and referral self-efficacy among obstetricians and staf f of private, community-based obstetric practices. Methods. Participants were obstetricians and staff from 10 of 27 available community-based, private obstetric practices in the target areas, for a pra ctice participation rate of 37%. This study used a delayed treatment design to compare self-efficacy between practice staff randomly assigned to an im mediate or delayed intervention group. Results. Self-efficacy increased significantly after intervention from base line to first followup for the immediate group, while no change was shown f or the delayed (control) group. The impact of the intervention on self-effi cacy was replicated in the assessment construct only after the intervention for the delayed group. Conclusion. This research shows that education and training can effectively improve self-efficacy in obstetricians and their staff in the management o f substance use and pregnancy.