Author Response

Authors’ Response

Authors: Inés Anchondo, DrPH, Lizabeth Berkeley, MPH, Zuber D. Mulla, PhD, Theresa Byrd, DrPH, Bahij Nuwayhid, MD, PhD, Gilbert Handal, MD, Ralitsa Akins, MD, PhD

Abstract

To the Editor


We thank Sattari and colleagues for their thoughtful letter. In their study,1 physician mothers reported high breast-feeding rates, yet the authors recognized the possibility that the interview method, a researcher-administered questionnaire, may have discouraged unsuccessful breast-feeders and encouraged successful breast-feeders to participate. We agree with this conclusion and with the inclusion of physician mothers from several different medical specialties. Our study2 was a pilot study that was intended to capture, in its first phase, information about breast-feeding from physicians in primary care specialties, such as obstetricians, pediatricians, and family medicine physicians, who provide direct care to mothers and children before, during, and after birth. We included both women and men because we are interested in breast-feeding perspectives from both sexes because the literature suggests that there is a difference in breast-feeding duration and rates for infants of women and men who are physicians.3 We are in phase two of our study and will include other medical specialties; however, we intend to keep the multiple-choice self-administered questionnaire for ease of use.

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References

1. Sattari M, Levine D, Bertram A, et al. Breastfeeding intentions of female physicians. Breastfeed Med 2010; 5: 297–302.
 
2. Anchondo I, Berkeley L, Mulla ZD, et al. Pediatricians’, obstetricians’, gynecologists’, and family medicine physicians’ experiences with and attitudes about breast-feeding. South Med J 2012; 105: 243–248.
 
3. Kacmar JE, Taylor JS, Nothnagle M, et al. Breastfeeding practices of resident physicians in Rhode Island. Med Health RI 2006; 89: 230–231.
 
4. Riggins C, Rosenman MB, Szucs KA. Breastfeeding experiences among physicians. Breastfeed Med 2012; 7: 151–154.
 
5. Biagoli F. Returning to work while breastfeeding. Am Fam Physician 2003; 68: 2201–2208.
 
6. Meyers D. Breastfeeding and returning to work in the physician’s office. Am Fam Physician 2003; 68: 2129–2130.