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Physician Knowledge, Attitude, and Confidence With Emergency Contraception [6N]

INTRODUCTION: Emergency contraception (EC) can prevent unintended pregnancy, but remains underutilized. Reasons for underuse of EC are multifactorial. Poor knowledge of EC among physicians may be a major contributor. The objective of this study was to describe physician knowledge, attitude and counseling practices regarding EC. METHODS: A web-based survey was sent to obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine and emergency medicine faculty and residents at a large academic center. Questions assessed knowledge of mechanism of action, relative effectiveness, indications and duration of use, and accessibility of various forms of EC, as well as experience with prescribing. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample population. Student's t tests were used to compare total knowledge scores. RESULTS: There were 656 surveys sent with a 23% response rate. The mean knowledge score was 7.08, out of a maximum of 14. Respondents from ob/gyn had a higher mean knowledge score than emergency medicine (mean 7.5 vs 6.2, P=.005). Ulipristal acetate was not recognized by 39% of ob/gyns, 86% of EM physicians, and 47% of other physicians as an effective method of EC. Respondents who reported greater confidence with EC had higher mean knowledge scores (P=.03). Only 63% of ob/gyns reported ever having discussed EC with their patients. CONCLUSION: Physician knowledge of EC is limited across multiple specialties. Increasing physician education about EC may improve patient counseling and promote uptake.