Many Primary Care Physicians Underestimate Rates of Unintended Pregnancy

Survey results point out important knowledge gaps.

Although primary care physicians (PCPs) have regular contact with reproductive-aged women, they tend not to provide preconception and contraception counseling routinely. Investigators distributed an online survey to 550 general internists and family physicians. The survey consisted of six open-ended questions about rate of unintended pregnancy in the U.S. and risk for pregnancy among users of condoms, oral contraceptives, injections, intrauterine devices (IUDs), or no contraception.

One hundred seventy-two PCPs (31%) completed the survey. Overall, respondents answered 38% of the questions correctly. More than half of respondents underestimated the proportion of pregnancies that are unintended as well as failure rates associated with oral con…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Many Primary Care Physicians Underestimate Rates of Unintended Pregnancy

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Reviewing Author