Opportunities missed: improving the rate of contraceptive counseling or provision when prescribing reproductive-aged women potentially teratogenic medications in a family medicine resident clinic
Fritsche, M.D.; Ables, A.Z.; Bendyk, H.
Contraception 84(4): 372-376
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1879-0518 PMID: 21920192 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2011.01.024Document Number: 226180
Studies show poor documentation of contraceptive counseling when prescribing women teratogenic medications, suggesting a missed opportunity for contraceptive education. A retrospective chart review of selected Food and Drug Administration class D and X medications evaluated the office visit initiating this medication for documentation of either contraceptive counseling or provision. Following an educational intervention, another retrospective review was conducted to determine if the rate of counseling improved. The initial rate of documented counseling was 46% and improved to 80% following the educational intervention (p=.0002), an improvement in both overall rate and that seen in the previous year. This study is the first to document contraceptive counseling rates when providing teratogenic medications in a training setting. It illustrates a need for increased attentiveness in primary care training practices to the risks of teratogenic medications and the need for comprehensive contraceptive counseling. Simple interventions may improve this rate and decrease missed opportunities.
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