Provision of contraceptive counseling by internal medicine residents.
BACKGROUND
Internists care for women of reproductive age, but little is known about internists' training in contraceptive counseling or provision of contraceptive methods.


METHODS
We surveyed 152 residents in nine internal medicine programs in Los Angeles County during the 2004-2005 academic year. The self-administered, 29-item survey included demographic, contraceptive practice pattern, and training variables. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to illustrate counseling and prescribing practices and to identify predictors of counseling and provision of contraceptives.


RESULTS
Most (95%) future internists surveyed reported clinical responsibility for women of reproductive age. However, few (17%) routinely provided contraceptive counseling, and 39% rarely or never provided contraceptive counseling. Residents had prescribed contraception on a median of 2 (range 0-30) occasions in the past year. Some formal education in contraceptive methods was reported by 51% of respondents; however, 75% of residents reported a desire for more training about contraception.


CONCLUSIONS
Internal medicine residents commonly care for women of reproductive age but infrequently assess or address contraceptive needs. Further training on how to provide contraception is desired by many internal medicine residents.
Lohr
Patricia A
PA
British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas), Stratford Upon Avon, United Kingdom. patricia.lohr@bpas.org
Schwarz
Eleanor Bimla
EB
Gladstein
Jay E
JE
Nelson
Anita L
AL
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female