Contraceptive compliance in family medicine: a comparison of the family physician and the family planning clinics.
A longitudinal, controlled study of contraceptive compliance was undertaken in a solo family practice in which 240 high-risk women were allocated alternatively to Practice and Clinic Groups. The effectiveness of the two services was evaluated at six-month intervals. Women in the family practice demonstrated better contraceptive compliance than those referred to the family planning clinics. There was a significantly lower number of pregnancies and fewer women experiencing unprotected intercourse in the Practice Group. The study demonstrates the potential of the family physician to achieve better compliance than the clinics of a well-resourced, successful family planning association. The need for the physician to accept his/her role as a family planning counselor and to be trained to offer a comprehensive contraceptive service is discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003075:Coitus; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic