Obstetrician-gynecologists' knowledge and training about antenatal corticosteroids

Objective: To characterize the clinical decisions, knowledge, opinions, and education of obstetricians and gynecologists about antenatal corticosteroi ds. Methods: Questionnaires mailed to 1020 ACOG Fellows included items on demog raphics, knowledge, clinical practice patterns, and educational background regarding antenatal corticosteroids. Results: The survey response rate was 47.8%. Almost all respondents (94%) r eported administering antenatal corticosteroids, with reduction of respirat ory distress syndrome (82%) as the primary reason for antenatal corticoster oid administration. Most (59.2%) were unaware of newly recognized associati ons between multiple administrations of corticosteroids and fetal growth re striction. In hypothetical clinical situations, responses by physicians who completed their residency training before 1970 indicated less likelihood t o administer corticosteroids when administration is relatively indicated pe r National Institutes of Health (NIH) and ACOG guidelines than those traine d later (P < .001). Only 8% of the entire sample rated their knowledge of a ntenatal corticosteroids as comprehensive; most (68%) rated it as adequate. Respondents rated residency training as a much better source of antenatal corticosteroid knowledge than medical school. Conclusion: Most obstetrician-gynecologists reported using antenatal cortic osteroids; however, in general, many were not aware of more recent informat ion regarding potential risks. This survey suggests that a multipronged edu cational approach is warranted to update obstetrician-gynecologists about a ntenatal corticosteroids. (C) 2001 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.