Current practice and future interest of GPs and prospective parents in pre-conception care in The Netherlands

BACKGROUND: Evidence for the effectiveness of pre-conception care is growing. GPs are among the possible providers of pre-conception care. OBJECTIVES: Our first aim was to investigate current pre-conception care activities of GPs and to determine whether prospective parents would visit the GP in the existing health care system. A further aim was to determine the interest of GPs and prospective parents in the introduction of pre-conception care clinics. METHODS: A survey was conducted among 200 GPs and 303 recently married couples (606 individuals). RESULTS: Of the eligible GPs, 52% (n = 102) participated, as did 70% (n = 381) of the eligible individuals who are planning a pregnancy. In the current situation, only a few individuals visit their GP pre-conceptionally, and many GPs do not discuss family history or consanguinity with prospective parents. In general, the GPs and prospective parents had a positive attitude towards the introduction of pre-conception care clinics. CONCLUSION: Since most GPs and prospective parents favoured the introduction of pre-conception care, future research should focus on the most appropriate way of implementation.