A blueprint for Person-Centered Contraceptive Care
PCRHP defined the Person-Centered Contraceptive Care Framework in 2020 to help policymakers, program implementers, and researchers consider a broader range of factors influencing equitable access to high-quality, person-centered contraceptive care and identifying potential solutions. This framework serves as a guide to address barriers and includes consideration of structural, systematic, and social factors affecting contraceptive care. Using this framework, PCRHP has developed tools and measures such as the PCCC measure, Self-Identified Need for Contraception (SINC) screening question, and the MyBirthControl application to improve service quality, foster trust, and empower individuals in managing their reproductive health.
Provider bias in IUD recommendations
This study investigated how race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status influence healthcare providers' recommendations for intrauterine contraception (IUC), also know at an intrauterine device (IUD). The study aimed to identify any biases in the recommendations given. Videos depicting patients with varying sociodemographic characteristics were shown 524 providers. Providers indicated whether they would recommend an IUC to the patient shown in the video. Results showed that providers' recommendations for IUC were significantly affected by the patient's race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, suggesting that implicit biases may impact contraceptive counseling. The study highlights the need for awareness and training to ensure that all patients receive unbiased, equitable care and are informed of all appropriate contraceptive options regardless of their background.
Contraceptive counseling and women’s contraceptive experiences
This study explored how different styles of contraceptive counseling impact women's experiences and satisfaction with their chosen contraceptive methods. Researchers compared traditional, provider-driven counseling approaches with more collaborative, client-centered methods. The findings indicated that women who received client-centered counseling reported higher satisfaction with their contraceptive choices and a better overall experience. This suggests that involving women more actively in the decision-making process and addressing their individual preferences and concerns can lead to more positive outcomes in contraceptive use and adherence. The study underscores the importance of personalized, respectful counseling in enhancing reproductive health experiences.
A contraceptive decision support tool for patients and providers
This study evaluated the effectiveness of My Birth Control, a decision aid tool designed to assist women in selecting and using contraceptive methods. This tool provided comprehensive information about various birth control options, including their benefits, risks, and usage instructions. The study found that women who used the decision aid were better informed, made more confident choices about their contraception, and were more likely to adhere to their chosen method. The research highlights the value of decision aids in empowering people with the knowledge and support needed to make informed and effective contraceptive choices, ultimately improving their satisfaction and outcomes in family planning.
Patient-reported measure of the interpersonal quality of family planning care
The development of the Interpersonal Quality of Family Planning Care (IQFP) measure involved creating a tool to assess how well family planning services meet the relational and emotional needs of clients. This measure was designed to evaluate aspects such as communication, respect, and empathy in provider-client interactions. Researchers and policymakers recognized that effective family planning care goes beyond technical proficiency and includes ensuring that clients feel heard, valued, and supported throughout their care journey. The measure was developed through extensive consultation with healthcare professionals, clients, and stakeholders, incorporating feedback to ensure it accurately reflects the nuances of interpersonal interactions in family planning settings. This approach aims to enhance client satisfaction and improve overall service quality by emphasizing the importance of the interpersonal dimensions of care. This 11-item IQFP measure was the impetus for developing the Person-Centered Contraceptive Care (PCCC) measure.
Recent Publications
Matern Child Health J., Sep 2024
A Scoping Review of Patient-Centered Perinatal Contraceptive Counseling
Contraception, Jul 2024
Comparison of a person-centered pregnancy prevention question and One Key Question...
Contraception, Jul 2024
Meeting people's pregnancy prevention needs: Let's not force people to state an "Intention".
Related News + Media
"Pushing back against the flood of harmful content requires establishing trusted sources of information and counteracting widespread misinformation and disinformation with supportive, positive, resources that are free of judgment."
- Mai Fleming, Christine Dehlendorf & April J. Bell
Scientific American, June 2024
"This is when the culture of medicine that centers providers’ perspectives over those of patients has its absolute worst impact...We are explicitly able to take away people's autonomy by refusing to remove contraceptive methods."
- Christine Dehlendorf
TIME, May 2024
"There needs to be repair and restoration of trust between health care providers and communities and patients about people’s experience of birth control methods if we are going to be able to give people information.”
- Christine Dehlendorf
Vox, May 2024