title: The provision of family planning services by family doctors in a health board region.
abstract: A survey was carried out to ascertain the extent of family planning services provided by family doctors. Of the 134 doctors surveyed, 119 (88.8%) replied. Of these 97 (81.5%) were male, 30 (25.2%) were aged less than 40 and 22 (18.5%) were greater than 60. Sixty-four (53.8%) worked in single-handed practices, 52(43.7%) were vocationally trained, 101 (84.9%) had the MICGP or equivalent and 42 (35.3%) had a family planning certificate. Of the 119 respondents, 99 (83.2%) give instruction in natural family planning methods, 114 (95.8%) prescribe oral contraceptives, 102 (85.7%) prescribe the "morning after pill", 40 (33.6%) fit diaphragms and 17 (14.3%) fit intrauterine devices. Only 3 (2.5%) perform male sterilisations. Doctors aged less than 60 years were 1.3 times more likely to prescribe oral contraceptives (p < 0.0001), and were four times more likely to fit diaphragms (p < 0.01). Doctors who hold a family planning certificate were 2.4 times more likely to fit diaphragms (p < 0.001) and were 2.5 times more likely to fit intrauterine devices. As to who should provide these services, the family doctor was the preferred option for 95 (79.8%) with regard to natural family planning, 107 (89.9%) for the contraceptive pill, 76 (63.9%) for the diaphragm, 58 (48.7%) for the intrauterine device, 45 (37.8%) for male sterilisations and 4 (3.4%) for female sterilisations. Younger doctors and those with a family planning certificate were more likely to say that family doctors should provide these services.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: North Eastern Health Board, Community Care Centre, Dundalk.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bedford
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lynskey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*