Awareness, knowledge and practice of healthcare professionals following implementation of a Pregnancy Prevention Program for sodium valproate in Ireland: a multi-stakeholder cross-sectional study

To establish awareness, knowledge, use and experience in practice of a sodium valproate pregnancy prevention program (PPP) in Ireland (“prevent”) among three healthcare professional (HCP) groups. A cross-sectional study using anonymous online surveys was conducted among general practitioners (GPs), pharmacists, and specialist consultants. Descriptive analyses are presented. HCP response rates were 5.8% for GPs (90/1544), 10.7% for pharmacists (219/2052), and 7.6% for specialists (17/224). Across HCP groups, there was high awareness (>90%) for specialist referral when female valproate patients are planning pregnancy, or become pregnant, but less awareness to refer annually for specialist review. While awareness of a possible teratogenic effect at any stage of pregnancy was high (>80%), most GPs (62.2%, 95% CI: 51.3, 71.9%) and community pharmacists (53.1%, 95% CI: 43.2, 62.8%) were unsure of the magnitude of risk for developmental disorders, while most specialists under-estimated this risk (46.7%, 95% CI: 24.8, 69.9%). Although >70% of the respondents identified valproate to be contraindicated in any woman of childbearing potential unless the conditions of the PPP are fulfilled, experience implementing key elements in practice varied. Our findings suggest continued effort is needed to ensure optimal implementation of “prevent” into clinical practice in Ireland.