Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

4-18-2024

Abstract

Background: Navigating contraceptive care is a complex and personal journey for individuals. Recognizing the significance of fostering a positive patient-provider encounter, our study delves into a comprehensive analysis of the experiences of patients navigating contraceptive care, with the aim of identifying and illustrating common emerging themes. Additionally, our research aims to accentuate the importance of respecting patient autonomy and avoiding any form of coercion in contraceptive care, promoting an environment that prioritizes collaborative decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals.

Methods: This qualitative research study examined the experiences and decision-making processes of contraception users in New Mexico (NM) (n=13) who have had or have considered using long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods. Participants were recruited over a two-month period via the use of flyers in the cities of Silver City, Mimbres, Gila, Las Cruces, and Albuquerque. Eligibility for participation was completed with a phone interview and those who met eligibility were onboarded and scheduled for individual video interviews. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants across different age groups, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds and from different locations within the state of NM. Conventional content analysis was used to examine captured recordings of patient interviews to identify emerging themes. A full transcript of each video was also created for reference. A comprehensive coding schema was then developed which was reintegrated for a subsequent round of analysis allowing us to refine our understanding of the themes. The prevalence and overall occurrence of themes was then quantified.

Results: The findings identify three overarching categories and fifteen themes that emerged across the participant interviews which are illustrated.

Conclusion: This study serves as a crucial step towards enhancing the overall quality of care in contraceptive care, emphasizing the significance of a patient-centered approach and reinforcing the principles of ethical healthcare practice. The study's findings can inform policy and practice changes ultimately contributing to better reproductive health outcomes that prioritize patient preferences for contraception. Additional utilization of these patients’ stories involves the development of an instructional training program designed to educate healthcare providers about centering patient priorities. This program is designed to support patients’ informed voluntary decisions regarding LARC initiation, continuation, or discontinuation.

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