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Poster and E-Posters
09. Prevention of gynaecologic cancer
396 Are we on the right track? Practices, knowledge and barriers of lifestyle counseling in obstetrics and gynecology: a national survey
  1. Anke Smits1,
  2. Cindy Van Heumen2,
  3. Bo Brummel2,
  4. Manon Van Den Berg1,
  5. Nicole Ezendam3,
  6. Marian Van Der Schueren4,
  7. Johanna MA Pijnenborg1 and
  8. Barbara Van Der Meij4
  1. 1Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  2. 2Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
  3. 3Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology,, Tilburg, The Netherlands
  4. 4HAN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Abstract

Introduction/Background To provide insights into knowledge and practices on lifestyle counselling among gynecology healthcare providers (HCPs), and to understand barriers and facilitators for engaging in such practices.

Methodology An online questionnaire was distributed among HCPs (gynecologists, trainees in obstetrics and gynecology, (foundation) doctors working in gynecology, obstetrics and reproductive medicine), nurse practitioners and physicians assistants. Practices with regards to lifestyle counselling, which encompass discussing various aspects of a patient’s lifestyle, and knowledge of a healthy lifestyle in HCPs were assessed. In addition, barriers, and facilitators for discussing lifestyle behaviors with patients were investigated using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Results Three hundred-thirty gynecology HCPs completed the survey. HCPs regularly discussed healthy body weight (63.0%) and physical activity (54.3%) and had adequate knowledge of these topics. However, knowledge of HCPs on dietary recommendations was poor based on an average score of 3.5 out of 8.0 and only 38% of HCPS regularly addressed a healthy diet during consultations. Lack of time (58.5%), insufficient knowledge (24.8%), lack of skills (20.0%) and tools (20.0%) were the primary reasons for HCPs to refrain from discussing lifestyle with patients. Domains most frequently recognized as potential facilitators for lifestyle counseling with patients included: beliefs about consequences (76.5%); social/professional role and identity (64.8%) and intentions (63.7%). Conversely, skills (80.4%); optimism (74.7%); and memory, attention, and decision processes (68.0%) were predominantly identified as potential barriers.

Conclusion Dutch gynecology HCPs are conscious of the importance of providing lifestyle counselling to their patients. Yet, nutrition-related knowledge, as well as skills and sufficient time to address these topics are lacking. Interventions are recommended to educate HCPs and provide them with resources to further improve lifestyle counselling.

Disclosures None to disclose.

https://doi.org/10.1136/ijgc-2024-ESGO.882

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