The role of general practitioners in Reunion in detecting alcohol use in pregnant women and identifying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a qualitative study

Abstract Background Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the leading cause of non-genetic intellectual disability and social maladjustment in children. International guidelines recommend abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy. Réunion is the most affected of all French regions with an estimat...

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Main Authors: Sébastien Leruste, Louise Delfarguiel, Bérénice Doray, Coralie Loubaresse, Laetitia Sennsfelder, Thierry Maillard, Catherine Marimoutou, Michel Spodenkiewicz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-12-01
Series:Archives of Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-023-01221-0
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author Sébastien Leruste
Louise Delfarguiel
Bérénice Doray
Coralie Loubaresse
Laetitia Sennsfelder
Thierry Maillard
Catherine Marimoutou
Michel Spodenkiewicz
author_facet Sébastien Leruste
Louise Delfarguiel
Bérénice Doray
Coralie Loubaresse
Laetitia Sennsfelder
Thierry Maillard
Catherine Marimoutou
Michel Spodenkiewicz
author_sort Sébastien Leruste
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the leading cause of non-genetic intellectual disability and social maladjustment in children. International guidelines recommend abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy. Réunion is the most affected of all French regions with an estimated Fetal Alcohol Spectrum (FAS) prevalence of 1.2‰ births. General practitioners (GPs) are at the forefront of identifying patients with FASD. Objective: To understand how GPs identify FASD. Methods Qualitative study using a grounded theory approach, through semi-structured face-to-face interviews with GPs. Interviews were conducted with the aim of reaching theoretical saturation. These were transcribed verbatim and then analyzed by four researchers to ensure triangulation of the data. Results GPs reported barriers to the identification of FASD: challenges in overcoming social taboos and paradoxical injunctions, the influence of limited knowledge and experience, non-specific and highly variable symptoms, ambiguous classification and method of diagnosis involving the mobilization of a multidisciplinary team and lengthy consultations. Conversely, they felt competent to identify neurodevelopmental disorders of any cause, but were concerned about the long waiting time to access specialized care. From the perspective of GPs, it is crucial to prioritize promotion and training aimed at improving the identification and coordination of care pathways for children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as FASD.
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spelling doaj.art-a53bf7e4dc5c41a7a2782c90d1018b812023-12-10T12:08:25ZengBMCArchives of Public Health2049-32582023-12-018111910.1186/s13690-023-01221-0The role of general practitioners in Reunion in detecting alcohol use in pregnant women and identifying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a qualitative studySébastien Leruste0Louise Delfarguiel1Bérénice Doray2Coralie Loubaresse3Laetitia Sennsfelder4Thierry Maillard5Catherine Marimoutou6Michel Spodenkiewicz7UFR Santé, University of La RéunionUFR Santé, University of La RéunionUFR Santé, University of La RéunionUFR Santé, University of La RéunionINSERM CIC 1410, CHU de La RéunionSAF-Ocean IndiaUFR Santé, University of La RéunionUFR Santé, University of La RéunionAbstract Background Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the leading cause of non-genetic intellectual disability and social maladjustment in children. International guidelines recommend abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy. Réunion is the most affected of all French regions with an estimated Fetal Alcohol Spectrum (FAS) prevalence of 1.2‰ births. General practitioners (GPs) are at the forefront of identifying patients with FASD. Objective: To understand how GPs identify FASD. Methods Qualitative study using a grounded theory approach, through semi-structured face-to-face interviews with GPs. Interviews were conducted with the aim of reaching theoretical saturation. These were transcribed verbatim and then analyzed by four researchers to ensure triangulation of the data. Results GPs reported barriers to the identification of FASD: challenges in overcoming social taboos and paradoxical injunctions, the influence of limited knowledge and experience, non-specific and highly variable symptoms, ambiguous classification and method of diagnosis involving the mobilization of a multidisciplinary team and lengthy consultations. Conversely, they felt competent to identify neurodevelopmental disorders of any cause, but were concerned about the long waiting time to access specialized care. From the perspective of GPs, it is crucial to prioritize promotion and training aimed at improving the identification and coordination of care pathways for children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as FASD.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-023-01221-0Fetal alcohol spectrum disordersGeneral practitionersQualitative research
spellingShingle Sébastien Leruste
Louise Delfarguiel
Bérénice Doray
Coralie Loubaresse
Laetitia Sennsfelder
Thierry Maillard
Catherine Marimoutou
Michel Spodenkiewicz
The role of general practitioners in Reunion in detecting alcohol use in pregnant women and identifying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a qualitative study
Archives of Public Health
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
General practitioners
Qualitative research
title The role of general practitioners in Reunion in detecting alcohol use in pregnant women and identifying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a qualitative study
title_full The role of general practitioners in Reunion in detecting alcohol use in pregnant women and identifying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a qualitative study
title_fullStr The role of general practitioners in Reunion in detecting alcohol use in pregnant women and identifying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed The role of general practitioners in Reunion in detecting alcohol use in pregnant women and identifying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a qualitative study
title_short The role of general practitioners in Reunion in detecting alcohol use in pregnant women and identifying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a qualitative study
title_sort role of general practitioners in reunion in detecting alcohol use in pregnant women and identifying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder a qualitative study
topic Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
General practitioners
Qualitative research
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-023-01221-0
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