The use of oral contraceptive pharmaceutical sample packs by adolescent health care providers.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to understand how health care providers use and distribute oral contraceptive pill (OCP) sample packs to adolescents.


METHODS
Qualitative study involving face-to-face structured interviews.


METHODS
Interviews lasted approximately 20-30 minutes and were done in the health care provider's office setting.


METHODS
A convenience sample of fourteen health care providers (pediatricians, family practitioners, nurse practitioners, and midwives) who have practices that include adolescents were interviewed.


METHODS
Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Two independent reviewers read the transcripts for themes. Transcripts were then coded and frequency counts were done.


CONCLUSIONS
OCP sample packs are an important tool for education and compliance. The pharmaceutical OCP sample supply may influence the health care provider's OCP choice for a teen.
Zink
T
T
Department of Family Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA. Zinktm@fmmail.uc.edu
Rosenthal
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations