Evaluation of a patient-centred, needs-based approach to support shared decision making in contraceptive counselling: the COCO study

• Published in: The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 326 - 333
• Main Authors: Bitzer, J., Oppelt, P. G., Deten, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.08.2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Birth control; Contraception; Contraceptive Agents; Contraceptive Devices; Counseling; Counseling - methods; counselling; Decision Making; Decision Making, Shared; Female; Gynecology; Humans; Middle Aged; needs-based counselling; Patient Participation; Patient Preference; Patient-Centered Care; patient-centred care; Physicians - psychology; Questionnaires; shared decision making; counselling; needs-based counselling; shared decision making; Contraception; patient-centred care
• ISSN: 1362-5187; 1473-0782
• DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2021.1908539

The Contraceptive Counselling (COCO) study tested whether a structured approach to assessing patient needs and expectations improved method choice and satisfaction with the contraceptive decision-making process. Physicians and women were invited to complete needs-based contraceptive counselling sessions using a structured questionnaire. Physicians recorded the individual responses online; women evaluated the process using an immediate post-consultation questionnaire and then via a structured online interview 6 months later. A total of 92 gynaecologists and 1176 women participated: 951 women completed the immediate post-consultation survey and 145 took part in the 6 month online evaluation. There was a substantial increase in satisfaction with the current contraceptive method: the number of women reporting they were 'very satisfied' with their contraceptive method increased by 30%. This applied to starters and switchers as well as to women continuing with their previous method. Women were highly satisfied with the structured approach; 95% rated the counselling as 'good' or 'very good' and 'comprehensive and detailed'. Using a structured approach to share information tailored to women's needs can help them choose from a broader range of methods and, in some cases, change to a method more suitable to their individual needs, and ultimately increase satisfaction with their choice.