Work

Prescribing antidepressants and anxiolytic medications to pregnant women: comparing perception of risk of foetal teratogenicity between Australian Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Speciality Trainees and upskilled General Practitioners

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Background: The decision of whether to prescribe antidepressants (AD) and anxiolytics (AX) to pregnant women is complex, with serious potential ramifications. Clinicians’ perception of the risk of teratogenicity significantly influences their prescribing decisions and in turn impacts maternal decision making. Our study sought to discern differences in perceived risk between Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (O&Gs) and General Practitioners (GPs) when prescribing these medications in pregnancy. Furthermore, we investigated factors impacting perception, clinicians’ willingness to prescribe and their approach to provision of patient information. Methods: This study was conducted via a nation-wide online SurveyMonkey extended to Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) database-derived affiliates: GP diplomates, fellows and trainees (5409 survey invitations: 545 respondents). Descriptive statistics were used to present responses for clinicians overall and separately for GPs and O&Gs. Results: GPs reported higher rates of being aware of up-to-date medication prescription recommendations (57.6%) compared with O&Gs (44.2%). GPs also reported higher rates of training adequacy in psychotropic prescription (56.1% versus 29.0%). There was evidence to suggest GPs level of confidence in knowledge base, initiation and prescription of antidepressants and anxiolytics was higher than those of O&Gs. The mean perception of patient non-compliance was similar between clinician groups (approximately 35%), but GPs perceived the extent of patient anxiety as higher (mean 73.7% (SD 21.3) compared to O&Gs (mean 63.1% (SD 24.1)). Both groups showed a strong preference for improved training rather than patient-focused technology (above 70% for both groups). Conclusion: Further development of clinician training in perinatal psychotropic prescription is warranted. Keywords : psychotropics, teratogenicity, pregnant, prescribing, foetal, perception

Source: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-03293-0

Authors: Summer Williams, George Bruxner, Emma Ballard, Alka Kothari

Institutions: Gold Coast Hospital, The University of Queensland, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Redcliffe Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Pregnancy and Medication Impact

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,290