GPs rarely offer long-term contraception
Long term contraceptive options were only discussed in approximately 15 out of 100 contraception consultations studied, where as the oral contraceptive pill was discussed around 69% of the time. Image: MarsBars/iStockphoto General practitioners (GPs) lack the knowledge and ability to adequately provide long-term contraceptive care to women in their practices, according to new research. A study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, analysed 3,910 Australian GPs from Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) data to determine current contraceptive management by general practitioners. Consultations with female patients aged 12–54 years were also analysed. Researchers led by Head of the Department of General Practice at Monash University Professor Danielle Mazza, found General practitioners lack familiarity with long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as contraceptive implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs), making it difficult for women to access this type of effective contraception. The study found only 1.2% of women in Australia used long-acting contraception despite the...