Contraceptive Implants in Place Here and Now?

Only 41% of California's Medicaid family planning clinics offered on-site implant placement.

Subdermal implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs) are the safest and most effective contraceptives available. To assess provision of these contraceptives by California's Medicaid-sponsored family planning clinics, researchers surveyed 1000 clinic directors about their clinics' practices in 2011.

Of 587 eligible respondents, 70% offered IUD placement, and 41% offered subdermal implants on site. About 75% of respondents stated that they routinely discuss IUDs and about 50% said they routinely discuss implants with most patients who are seeking contraception.

Reviewing Author

Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, MD, MS

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardPlanned Parenthood Federation of America

Grant/Research SupportSociety of Family Planning; California Department of Public Health Tobacco Control Program

Editorial BoardsContraception; Journal of General Internal Medicine

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCouncil Member, Society of General Internal Medicine