Abstract
Research on the impact of providers disclosing personal contraceptive experiences with patients is limited. In this study, we examine patient and provider perspectives about provider self-disclosure (PSD) of personal contraceptive experiences and its effects on contraceptive decision making and the provider-patient relationship. We conducted 18 one-on-one telephone interviews with clinicians who provide contraceptive services to young women and 17 patients seeking emergency contraception from three Bay Area community-based, youth-friendly clinics regarding their contraceptive counseling practices and experiences, respectively. After transcribing and coding all interviews, we summarized structural codes related to contraceptive counseling and PSD. Although providers noted that PSD could help to build rapport and increase patient comfort, most did not report self-disclosing their contraceptive experiences, primarily owing to concerns that it might cross professional boundaries or compromise patient autonomy. All patients held positive attitudes toward and welcomed PSD practices, with many noting that it increased their comfort and trust in their provider. There were notable differences between patient and provider attitudes toward PSD of contraceptive method use, with patients expressing more positive feelings about the practice than providers. Community-based providers should consider that many young women welcome self-disclosure of provider contraceptive experiences and that more research is needed to understand the effects of PSD practices around contraception on the patient-provider relationship and autonomous contraceptive decision making.
Highlights
Research on the impact of providers disclosing personal contraceptive experiences with patients is limited
The original two studies included in-depth interviews with clinicians and young women regarding their experiences with contraceptive counseling, with a particular focus on the intrauterine device (IUD), the IUD when used as emergency contraception (EC), and oral EC
Providers pointed to the benefits of building trust and rapport with patients, many providers were concerned that provider self-disclosure (PSD) could compromise patient autonomy and lead to a professional boundary violation
Summary
Research on the impact of providers disclosing personal contraceptive experiences with patients is limited. We examine patient and provider perspectives about provider self-disclosure (PSD) of personal contraceptive experiences and its effects on contraceptive decision making and the provider–patient relationship. Methods: We conducted 18 one-on-one telephone interviews with clinicians who provide contraceptive services to young women and 17 patients seeking emergency contraception from three Bay Area community-based, youth-friendly clinics regarding their contraceptive counseling practices and experiences, respectively. All patients held positive attitudes toward and welcomed PSD practices, with many noting that it increased their comfort and trust in their provider. Community-based providers should consider that many young women welcome self-disclosure of provider contraceptive experiences and that more research is needed to understand the effects of PSD practices around contraception on the patient– provider relationship and autonomous contraceptive decision making.
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