Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, prevention and identification in general practice : action research ; Les troubles du spectre de l’alcoolisation fœtale, prévention et repérage en médecine générale : une recherche action

Background: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the leading preventable cause of non-genetic mental retardation. General practitioners (GPs) are at the forefront of prevention and detection of FASD. While the prevalence of FASD in the region is said to be the highest in France, the regional health agency has pointed to shortcomings in the detection of alcohol consumption, particularly among pregnant women, and low participation of general practitioners in training courses on FASD.Objective: The aim was to understand the levers and barriers GPs face in preventing and identifying FASD, and to take action to strengthen these practices.Method: An action research project was carried out. For its 1st stage, a narrative review of the literature was carried out, supplemented by two qualitative studies adopting a grounded theorizing approach with GPs. The modeling resulting from these studies enabled us to move on to the 2nd stage, the development of actions using a Delphi round consensus method. The actions are currently being implemented. Results: The review identified 23 scientifically evaluated actions in the fields of prevention, detection, screening and diagnosis of FASD. GPs' discomfort in dealing with alcohol, particularly in women, was an obstacle to preventing and identifying FASD. They felt able to identify neurodevelopmental disorders. These factors led to the development of prevention and detection actions by consensus on 24 actions, resulting in 11 consensual actions. Four actions have been implemented. Feedback to the participants, the final stage of the action research, began with a communication to the experts on the Delphi round panel. Discussion : This action research project serves as a model for field-based research aimed at responding to a priority local public health issue. This method is transferable to the identification and prevention of other public health issues to general practice. Similar action research should be carried out in other local public health issues in primary care. They ...