Preconception health: A case-study of inter-professional discourse at an academic medical center

A Midwestern Academic Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) launched an inter-professional initiative to educate medical providers in training across disciplines on the significance and importance of preconception health with the overarching goal of identifying feasible and innovative approaches to integrate care in clinical settings. The team representing members from Ob/Gyn, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and Public Health designed an inter-professional, interactive seminar for medical students/residents/house officers/attending and medical staff across the specialties charged with answering the following question. "How can preconception health care be made a priority and feasibly implemented at an Academic Medical Center?"

The team developed a 2 hour seminar with the following objectives: 1. Present NPHHC Initiative recommendations and highlight the importance and significance of preconception health in improving pregnancy and birth outcomes. 2. Encourage inter-professional discourse to identify feasible and innovative solutions to incorporate preconception health care across specialties. 3. Assemble an inter-professional preconception health care action committee to continue efforts post-seminar. 57 participants across the aforementioned specialties participated in the seminar and assembled into 5 inter-professional breakout groups to propose immediate through long-term solutions to incorporate preconception health care in the clinical setting across specialties. The seminar resulted in the establishment of a 7 member inter-professional preconception health care action committee to translate the recommendations into ongoing practices. Inter-professional efforts that increase awareness amongst providers in training is an essential step towards identifying feasible and innovative approaches to implementing preconception care and other health objectives.