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E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
Computer-assisted provision of emergency contraception a randomized controlled trial
Eleanor Bimla Schwarz1, Barbara Gerbert, Ralph Gonzales
1Center for Research on Health Care, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Schwarzeb@upmc.edu
Journal of General Internal Medicine
|April 10, 2008
Summary
Computer-assisted education significantly improved emergency contraception (EC) knowledge and reduced unintended pregnancies. This method offers a promising approach to enhance reproductive health education.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Public Health Interventions
- Medical Education Technology
Background:
- Limited clinician time and patient knowledge hinder effective use of emergency contraception (EC).
- Ensuring access to accurate EC information is crucial for preventing unintended pregnancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of computer-assisted EC education in improving knowledge and usage.
- To evaluate the impact of this intervention on unintended pregnancy rates.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 446 women in urgent care clinics.
- Intervention group received a 15-minute EC educational session and EC supply.
- Control group received unrelated health information.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed a significant increase in EC knowledge compared to the control group.
- A trend towards increased EC use was observed in the intervention group.
- Significantly fewer unintended pregnancies occurred in the intervention group.
Conclusions:
- Computer-assisted EC provision effectively enhances knowledge of emergency contraception.
- This intervention demonstrates potential for reducing unintended pregnancies in accessible settings.
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