Providers' Knowledge of EC
What healthcare providers know about EC plays an important role on how they prescribe and provide information about EC. Findings suggest that clinicians have incomplete knowledge of EC (Wallace, Wu, Weinstein, Gorenflo, & Fetters, 2004). In a study by Langer & et al (1999) only 30% of the providers knew that EC referred to a postcoital contraceptive method, 52% thought EC was a method used at the time of intercourse, and 17% though it was an abortifacient. Many healthcare providers are misinformed about EC, in a study by Harrison (2005) the researcher found that some respondents erroneously reported that EC is not available in the United States or their own state and confused EC with mifeprisonte, the abortion pill. According to Galvao & et al (1999) 66% percent of the respondents indicated that EC prevents pregnancy, 15% thought it induces abortion, 15% thought it did both, and 3% did not know how it worked. Only 12% of the providers stated that EC was legal and part of a family planning protocol. Of the physicians who provided EC only 15% were able to correctly mention the name, dose, and timing of the 1st dose (Galvao & et al). It is evident that healthcare providers have many interrogations about what EC is. Lack of knowledge about EC on behalf of the healthcare providers not only reduces prescription rates but also increases incorrect use of EC by women. Studying the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare providers in regards to EC could help identify the abundance of misinformation that healthcare providers may have about EC.
