Hi Nancy Phillips
You asked yesterday for the following reference (I think this may be the one
you mean, Nancy): "National Assessment of Physicians' Breastfeeding
Knowledge, Attitudes, Training, and Experience" JAMA (J of the American
Medical Association) 1995, Feb 8, vol 273(6) pp 472-476. In case other
readers may not have access to this journal, you may be interested in the
following results:
3115 residents and 1920 practicing physicians in pediatrics, ob/gyn, and
family medicine were surveyed via postal questionnaires (list provided by
the American Board of Medical specialities) - response rate was 68% (an
incentive was provided!)
1.        less than 50% of residents chose appropriate clinical management
for a breastfed jaundiced infant or breast abscess
2.        more than 30% chose incorrect advice for mothers with low milk supply
3.        more than 50% of all practicing physicians rated their residency
training as inadequate with regard to breastfeeding counselling
4.        only half the physicians rated themselves as effective in
counselling breastfeeding patients
5.        the greatest predictor of physician self-confidence was previous
personal or spousal breastfeeding experience.

Regards, Ellen McIntyre, MSc DipEd IBCLC, South Australia (where GPs become
LCs!)