Objective Structured Clinical Examination: Contraceptive Counseling for Long Acting Reversible Methods

Abstract

Abstract As the burden of unintended pregnancy and abortion in the United States now falls disproportionately to poor and uninsured women, appropriate contraceptive counseling requires strong limited health literacy communication skills. This standardized patient case was developed to assess patient-centered counseling skills for long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods, low health literacy communication skills, and appropriate use of the Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use. The patient is a 27-year-old woman who underwent suction curettage for an incomplete abortion 2 weeks earlier in the emergency room and presents for a routine postoperative visit. The student assumes her care from an attending or resident who has already examined the patient and found her without complications, but has not yet determined possible contraceptive needs. All reviewers found the standardized patient realistic and appropriately detailed. Their recommended changes were for greater detail in risks, benefits, and efficacy for the methods and reassignment of some competencies to a higher trainee level.

Keywords

• OSCE
• Intrauterine Devices
• Long-Acting Reversible Contraception
• Contraceptive Implant
• Unintended Pregnancy
• Migraine Headache