Publications by authors named "Kara Ghiringhelli"
Background: Few studies have analyzed patient education materials provided at discharge. To the best of our knowledge, there are no comprehensive studies analyzing and reporting the content of breastfeeding discharge packets within the United States.
Objective: This study analyzed the extent to which patient education materials provided at discharge from maternity facilities in Massachusetts cover topics that support successful breastfeeding.
Background: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's (MDPH) Mass in Motion Program (MiM) facilitates the adoption of community-level strategies that promote healthy weight in 52 municipalities. MiM provided the platform for enhancing postdischarge continuity of care for breastfeeding.
Objective: This study aimed to improve the continuity of breastfeeding care and support for mothers by enhancing postdischarge care infrastructure and supportive contacts for women and families.
Article Synopsis
- Lack of health professional support significantly impacts mothers' ability to meet breastfeeding goals, leading to a need for improved clinician education.
- The project created a free, accessible 1.5-hour online continuing education tutorial for healthcare providers on breastfeeding management, resulting in over 1600 clinicians completing it within one year.
- Feedback from the first tutorial prompted the development of a second tutorial, which further addresses essential topics related to breastfeeding, aligning with Healthy People 2020 objectives.
The Touching Hearts, Touching Minds initiative was funded through a 2003 United States Department of Agriculture Special Projects grant to revitalize nutrition education and services in the Massachusetts Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. The 30 nutrition education materials and facilitated group counseling techniques developed through the project use the power of parent-identified emotional "pulse points" to become more influential in guiding WIC participants to practice positive eating and physical activity behaviors that lead to healthier families. Touching Hearts, Touching Minds materials and strategies have been well received and provide opportunities to transform the nutrition counseling relationship between WIC families and WIC staff.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF