Folic
Acid Resources for Health Care Professionals
“Quantitative surveys conducted over the past
four years have identified a gap between the high level of knowledge,
and relatively low level of practice, among health care providers
with respect to making specific recommendations about folic acid
(FA), and with respect to the provision of preconceptional care.”
--Needs Assessment Among Health Care Practitioners Regarding Gap between Guidelines
and Practice With Respect to Folic Acid, 2006, March of Dimes, CDC Report
How do we close this gap? Listed below are links
to existing national and state programs developed to address educating
the healthcare professional in regards to folic acid and neural
tube defects as well as tools to assist in narrowing this gap.
Needs Assessment Among Health Care Practitioners Regarding
Gap between Guidelines and Practice With Respect to Folic Acid,
2006, March of Dimes, CDC Report
This qualitative needs assessment was intended to identify reasons
for the gap between knowledge and practice; identify how providers
who do incorporate practice guidelines regarding folic acid and
preconception care are able to do so; assess barriers to change;
and brainstorm strategies or interventions that would lead to significant
improvement in implementation of these guidelines within health
care practices.
Archived presentation of results:
http://cdc.confex.com/cdc/pcs2007/techprogram/P13424.HTM
Health Care Knowledge and Practices Regarding Folic Acid,
United States, 2002-2003
Results of two surveys given to 1111 HCP’s
in 2002/2003 to assess their knowledge and practices regarding
folic acid use for neural tube defect prevention. March of Dimes/CDC.
http://www.springerlink.com/content/v70j2l0p926445x8/fulltext.pdf
Improving Preconception Health: Women’s
Knowledge and Use of Folic Acid
Since 1995, the March of Dimes has commissioned Gallup to conduct
surveys to measure women's awareness and behavior relative to folic
acid and other pre-pregnancy health issues. Several questions relate
to HCP’s.
http://www.marchofdimes.com/peristats/tlanding.aspx?reg=99&top=13&lev=0&slev=1
Got a Minute?
Developed by the National Spina Bifida Association, informational
only, has a version that can be read in 1 minute.
http://sba-resource.org/gotaminute/story_folicacid_main.html
ABCs of Folic Acid Counseling
Developed by National Spina Bifida Association
in collaboration with CDC. Offers CEU credit for nurses
and health educators.
http://sba-resource.org/sbaacd/
Advocating For Folic Acid: A Guide for Health Professionals
An interactive on-line module whose goal is to train health professionals
and students to counsel on the benefits of folic acid in the prevention
of birth defects and other conditions. Developed by Association
of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) and the March of Dimes.
http://folicacid.net/
Folic Acid and the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects
This free educational CD-Rom, developed by perinatologist , Dr.
Jordan Perlow and produced by the Arizona March of Dimes Chapter
provides the background and understanding of folic acid and neural
tube defects.
http://www.marchofdimes.com/files/chapterFiles/AZ_CD_ROMS_-_FOLIC_ACID_-_PREMATURITY.pdf
Birth Defects Prevention: Realizing the Full Potential
of Folic Acid
This archived webinar will seek to increase knowledge and awareness
of folic acid and its role in birth defect prevention and the opportunities
that exist in public health practice to increase the consumption
of folic acid among women of childbearing age.
http://www.publichealthgrandrounds.unc.edu./folic/index.htm
The National Preconception Curriculum and Resources Guide
for Clinicians
On-line CME modules under development by
UNC-School of Medicine and Albert Einstein School of Medicine
in conjunction with the CDC. Covers folic acid and neural tube
defects as well as other preconception issues. CEU’s offered.
- Module 1: Preconception Care: What It Is and What It Isn't
- Module 2: Every Woman, Every Time: Integrating Health Promotion
Into Primary Care
- Module 3: Maximizing Prevention: Targeted Care for Those with
High Risk Conditions
- Module 4: In Between Time: Interconceptional Care for Those
with Previous Poor Outcomes
- Module 5: Babies to Adolescents: Incorporating Preconception
Health Promotion into the Pediatric Visit
http://www.mombaby.org/beforeandbeyond/
Folic Acid Everyday Toolkit
Originally produced for the Florida Department of Health and the
March of Dimes, this training kit guides health educators, nutritionists
and discussion leaders through individual and group lessons and
activities designed to educate women, especially those considering
pregnancy, on the benefits of folic acid in a healthy diet. The
kit contains a facilitator's master notebook, which includes lessons
plans, discussions topics and handouts; an interactive CD-ROM with
a PowerPoint slide presentation; and videos on folic acid (10 minutes)
and preventing neural tube defects (22 minutes).
http://ifasbooks.ufl.edu/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IFASBOOKS&Product_Code=SP+291
Healthy Birth Toolkit
The “Healthy Birth Toolkit” is a compendium of tools,
strategies, and materials for health care professionals to use
to address disparate perinatal outcomes. It was developed by Wisconsin
Association of Perinatal Care. Included are: Folic Acid: A Position
Statement for Providers and Prescription for a Healthy Future. Individual
items may be ordered and some items may be downloaded.
http://www.perinatalweb.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=41
Health Care Provider’s Tips
Flyer cards designed for health care professionals who deal with
women of childbearing age. Cards are specific for OB/GYN, pediatrics,
primary care, dieticians or pharmacists and provide a summary of
folic acid recommendations. Available free from CDC.
http://www2a.cdc.gov/ncbddd/faorder/orderform.htm#CDC-099-9069
Folic Acid Counseling Pocket Card
Quick reference card for healthcare professionals that fits in
the white coat pocket (English). Spanish version is designed for
community educators.
http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/apps/ka/ec/category.asp?c=liKWL7PLLrF&b=2705387&en=grKHIYOHI8LGKVNAI7LGIZPKIpI1J3NxFaKSK9NLIiJMLYOMLvF
Office Champion Program
A health care professional education initiative
developed by NC Folic Acid Council (NCFAC). The program provides
in-office educational sessions to public and private health care
settings throughout NC. A volunteer within the office, Office
Champion, remains in contact with the NCFAC regional coordinator
and encourages the HCP’s within the office to talk to all
patients of childbearing age about multivitamins with folic acid.
Description of program on archived webcast: http://webcast.hrsa.gov/Postevents/archivedWebcastDetailNewInterface.asp?aeid=352
Educational video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQWqTOAO5Jg
Contact Linda Morgan, Linda.morgan@msj.org for
more information.
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