The Elephant in the Room

Dodgson, Joan E.

doi:10.1177/0890334417727273

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…However, the needs of breastfeeding families are many and diverse, with some needing the care of IBCLCs and others needing the care of CLCs. Until the field of lactation care matures to the point of being able to clearly distinguish the levels of care families require and the scope of practice required to care for these various levels of need, confusion will continue-just as it did in other health care fields as they were developing and differentiating their scope-of-practice issues (Dodgson, 2017). Globally, families with newborns are increasingly choosing to breastfeed, and this means that there is increased work to do to support their infant feeding choices.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lactation-Specific Certifications: A Comparison of Independently Accredited Credentials

Dodgson¹

2019

J Hum Lact

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The need to establish a certification for lactation specialized knowledge was recognized in the 1980s by La Leche League's (LLL) leadership (Marinelli, 2018). A grant from LLL established the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) in 1985, which developed into an independent credentialing body offering the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential (Eden, 2019). In 2008, the U.S.-based education providers from the Healthy Children Project joined with the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice (ALPP; Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2008); they became accredited to offer certifications in lactation in 2013 (American National Standards Institute for Credentialing [ANSI], 2013). The Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) certification is their primary credential. To date, these are the only two organizations that have gone through the rigorous process required for an organization to be able to certify that individuals have adequate lactation-specific knowledge to provide care for breastfeeding families. Unlike professional licensure, which is regulated by state governments (in the United States and elsewhere), certifications are awarded by an independently accredited organization that sets the criteria for obtaining certification. Each organization has set its own requirements for its credential. The purpose of this article is to compare the criteria of these two credentials based on their quality and rigor. To do so, metrics that have been widely established within professional education and practice were used (American Educational Research Association et al., 2014). The word certification can be confusing, as it is used in two different ways, when referring to establishing a health care or education provider's knowledge and/or competency. Many education programs, both academic and professional development, provide people who successfully complete a course with a certificate. These types of certificate programs are either knowledge-based certificates, curriculum-based certificates, or certificates of attendance/ participation (Durley, 2005, p. 6). In the lactation field, we have many of these types of programs; they are essential 888217J HLXXX10.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lactation-Specific Certifications: A Comparison of Independently Accredited Credentials

Dodgson¹

2019

J Hum Lact

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“…As we move forward in determining the efficacy and impact of the IBCLC, Dodgson (2017) recommended a call for research and clear guidelines for the type of education needed, not only for the IBCLC but for various providers providing breastfeeding care with varied resources. Barriers to obtaining clinical practice hours and educational credit hours for the IBCLC certification must be addressed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Barriers to obtaining clinical practice hours and educational credit hours for the IBCLC certification must be addressed. Clear, consistent differentiation of the levels of the scope of practice must continue to be a global discussion to address perceived inequities in the IBCLC requirements (Dodgson 2017; Walker, Aldridge, Fink, & Fenick, 2017). Eden, Anstey, and Orriola (2018) identified cost as the greatest barrier to IBCLC certification and recommended flexible course schedules and scholarships to address the need of those interested in serving underserved populations around the globe.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of the IBCLC: Have we Made an Impact on the Care of Breastfeeding Families Over the Past Decade?

2019

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Background: International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) have been in existence for over 3 decades, are currently represented in 110 countries, and have the only internationally recognized certification to provide safe and evidenced-based care for breastfeeding women and their infants. Research aim: To review the literature about the efficacy of IBCLCs on breastfeeding outcomes as well as studies that have examined the effectiveness of the IBCLC’s role. Methods: The design was a scoping review of the literature and critical analysis using PRISMA guidelines of existing studies published from 2008–2019. Qualitative and quantitative studies were reviewed. Results: Twelve ( N =12) studies met inclusion criteria. Seven themes emerged in the analysis including studies of the role of IBCLCs in resident physician education; IBCLC’s role in breastfeeding interventions and the management of breastfeeding problems; the impact of IBCLCs in inpatient and outpatient settings; and the impact of geographic access to IBCLCs on breastfeeding rates. Certification of and ongoing professional development of IBCLCs are also discussed. Conclusion: In this scoping review of existing literature assessing the effectiveness of IBCLCs in promoting and supporting breastfeeding, it is clear that IBCLCs play a positive role in supporting breastfeeding throughout the world. However, there are certain limitations that must be addressed. Recommendations for future research and clinical practice are discussed in the context of present limitations to breastfeeding expertise and support.

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IBCLC Role Differences

Powers¹

2019

Clin Lactation

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Lactation consultants working with mothers and babies in different settings — whether hospital, clinic, home or support group — may find themselves not understanding the challenges and dissimilarities that are part of a distinctive lactation setting. In an effort to even the playing field, allowing for a bird's-eye view of inpatient and outpatient work life issues, this is an article designed to hone in on the variances that confront LC's depending upon where they interface with the breastfeeding dyad.

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The Elephant in the Room

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

Lactation-Specific Certifications: A Comparison of Independently Accredited Credentials

Lactation-Specific Certifications: A Comparison of Independently Accredited Credentials

Effectiveness of the IBCLC: Have we Made an Impact on the Care of Breastfeeding Families Over the Past Decade?

IBCLC Role Differences

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