Exploring adolescent contraceptive counseling: A hypothetical daughter scenario

Objectives

We aimed to describe contraceptive methods used by clinicians who counsel adolescents to create an aggregate perspective which could be shared with patients. We also explored which method clinicians would recommend to a hypothetical daughter to identify associations between clinicians who had used long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and potential recommendations.

Methods

An online survey was sent to pediatric and adolescent gynecology academic societies and fellowship/division directors to share with their clinicians. Frequency and percentage of self-reported personal/partner contraceptive method ever use was calculated. Bivariate tests evaluated the relationship between personal LARC use and contraception recommendations.

Results

Across 669 clinicians, 46 % reported personal/partner LARC use, and 77 % recommended LARC to a hypothetical daughter. LARC users were more likely to recommend LARC for a hypothetical daughter (89 % LARC users recommend it versus 66 % non-LARC users, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Results can support shared decision-making counseling discussions. When families ask, “what do you use” or “what would you start for your daughter,” clinicians might consider sharing this aggregate perspective.

Practice implications

In this study, clinicians who personally use LARC were more likely to recommend LARC for a hypothetical daughter. Clinicians can share this aggregate perspective to reduce personal bias during contraceptive counselling.