Differences between physicians and nurses in providing family planning services: findings from a Bogota clinic

Having nurses provide a variety of services generally available only from physicians is one way to overcome shortages of physicians in family planning programs. To aid in determining if the quality of care provided by nurses is comparable to that of physicians, a study at a Profamilia clinic in Bogota, Colombia, evaluated the management of family planning clients by physicians and nurses. The study found significant differences between physicians and nurses in the prescription of contraceptives on the client's first visit, in prescription of methods to be used temporarily, in deferment of IUD insertions, and in changing of methods for the client. Continuation rates among the physicians' and nurses' clients, however, did not differ significantly, and clients of physicians and nurses were equally successful in preventing unwanted pregnancies.