Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Prenatal contraceptive counseling has been associated with effective postpartum contraceptive use; therefore, proper training in providing this service is paramount. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine obstetrics and gynecology (ob-gyn) residents' prenatal contraceptive counseling practices. METHODS: Data were obtained via anonymous surveys completed by University of Texas, Medical Branch in Galveston (UTMB) ob-gyn residents. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 25 residents (84%) completed the survey. Five (20%) PGY-1, seven (28%) PGY-2, five (20%) PGY-3, and four (12%) PGY-4 residents participated. With regards to prenatal contraceptive counseling practices, 11 (52%) reported initiating prenatal contraceptive counseling in the third trimester or later, 20 (95%) described spending 10 minutes or less on contraceptive counseling during all prenatal care, and nine (43%) respondents reported counseling about all four major contraceptive categories (oral pills/patches/rings, injections, long-acting reversible contraceptives/IUDs/implant, and sterilization). When asked for reasons for not doing prenatal counseling, residents cited either time-constraints and simply forgetting to counsel. One-third of the residents felt that they “miss[ed] some aspects of proper counseling.” Finally, one 3rd year and one 4th year stated they had no formal training in contraceptive counseling, and only four (16%) residents reported formal didactics on contraceptive counseling specific to the prenatal period. CONCLUSION: Prenatal contraception counseling was inadequate in one ob-gyn residency program. Our findings suggest that further research and uniform guidelines regarding resident education on contraceptive counseling are warranted.
Published Version
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