Improving Contraception Counseling among Adolescents

Abstract

Unintended pregnancy remains an issue here in the United States (U.S.). Unintended pregnancy increases negative health effects for the mother and child. Long-term, this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Quality Improvement project is to increase the use of effective birth control among adolescents. In order to reach the long-term goal, the short-term purpose aims to increase provider comfortability with adolescent contraception counseling and increase adolescent interest in the methods available to them, specifically Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARCs). Educational audio and visual tools were created that focused on shared decision-making among providers and patients. Pre- and post-implementation surveys on provider comfortability were disseminated. Responses indicated increased comfortability among providers and adolescent interest in the new tools available. Future studies should focus on in-person training and the use of an evidence-based shared decision-making tool.