Patient satisfaction with 3 methods of postpartum contraceptive counseling: a randomized, prospective trial

To compare patient satisfaction with 3 different postpartum contraceptive counseling methods.

Randomized, prospective trial in an urban medical center. Patients were randomized to receive physician-patient counseling, written literature or an educational video. The main outcome variable was patient satisfaction with the contraceptive teaching method. Patient satisfaction was analyzed as a categorical variable and compared with chi2 tests. Secondary outcomes were compared with chi2 tests and ANOVA.

Greater than 90% of patients in each arm were satisfied with the contraceptive counseling that they received. Patients receiving physician-patient counseling expressed a 99% satisfaction rate (p = 0.044). African American (98.2%) and Hispanic (93.5%) patients were more satisfied than Caucasian (83.3%) patients (p = 0.026). Satisfaction with contraceptive counseling decreased with age.

An organized program of contraceptive counseling provides adequate information for patients to be comfortable with their decision about their postpartum contraceptive method. Patients were most satisfied with physician counseling.