Provider Tools

We can only listen when we create a space for the patient to speak. Listening can be augmented through open-ended questions. During a period of listening, consider opting for one open-ended question in lieu of a series of closed-ended questions.

Evidence increasingly shows that person-centered contraceptive counseling is essential to delivering high-quality, equitable contraceptive care.

A 24-year-old patient (she/her) comes in after missing a period. She has a history of PCOS and irregular periods, but reports her periods have been fairly regular over the past several months. In the clinic, her urine pregnancy test is positive. She is surprised and upset, as she’s been using a combined oral contraceptive (COC) for the past 2 years. On further history, you learn she started a weekly GLP-1 injectable for weight loss about 6 months ago that she gets from a local med spa. She doesn’t remember the exact name but thinks it starts with a “s.” Since starting the injection, she’s had intermittent nausea and a few episodes of vomiting, especially in the days after injections and after she increases the dose. She asks “how did this happen?”

Expanding pain management offerings for IUD placements.

A 19-year-old patient (she/they) comes in for STI testing since they recently started seeing someone new. After reviewing their sexual history and ordering appropriate testing, the provider checks in about how their birth control pills are working for them–the chart indicates they’ve been on a combined oral contraceptive for about a year. They reply, “Oh. I stopped taking them a couple of months ago–I heard it's good to take a break once in a while.”   They don’t report side effects and share that the decision was driven by things they kept seeing online. They are not interested in having kids anytime soon.

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How providers can take a patient-centered approach.