Obstetrician-gynecologists and long-acting, reversible contraception (LARC): A national survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practice

In the U.S., almost half of all pregnancies are unintended. Increasing the use of highly effective, long-acting, reversible contraception (LARC), specifically intrauterine devices and the contraceptive implant, has been proposed as one strategy to lower unintended pregnancy rates. Because all LARC methods require insertion by a clinician, access to these methods is dependent on the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of health care providers. Members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) represent more than 90% of U.S. obstetrician–gynecologists. A survey of a representative sample of practicing ACOG members assessing their current practice patterns, knowledge, and attitudes regarding LARC methods will be described. Survey results detailing how obstetrician-gynecologists currently acquire information about contraceptive methods and how they would like to receive new contraceptive knowledge and skills will also be reported in an effort to inform future continuing education interventions designed to increase access to LARC methods through improvements in physician knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns.