Evaluation of a fertility awareness-based shared decision-making tool part 1: Study design and impact on clinician knowledge

Marguerite Duane; Virginia Martinez; Meghan Berry; Michael D Manhart

doi:10.1016/j.pecinn.2022.100061

Evaluation of a fertility awareness-based shared decision-making tool part 1: Study design and impact on clinician knowledge

PEC Innov. 2022 Jun 28:1:100061. doi: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2022.100061. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Authors

Marguerite Duane¹, Virginia Martinez¹, Meghan Berry¹, Michael D Manhart^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ FACTS, 1020 Kearny St NE, Washington DC 20017, USA.
² Couple to Couple League International, 5440 Moeller Avenue Suite 149, Cincinnati, OH 45212, USA.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of a Shared Decision-Making (SDM) tool for fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) of family planning.

Methods: Clinicians familiar with at least one FABM were randomly invited to participate in a prospective cross-over study to compare usual practice to the use of the SDM tool when discussing FABMs with patients. Patients completed surveys pre- and post-office visit and six months later. The primary outcome explored the effect of online education on use of the SDM tool on clinicians' knowledge of FABMs.

Results: Of 278 clinicians contacted, 54% could not be reached, and 15% did not provide women's health services. The 26 clinicians enrolled were experienced, with more than half recommending FABMs for ≥10 years, and 73% recommending more than one FABM to patients. Knowledge scores significantly improved after online training and use of the SDM tool (baseline mean score = 9.54 (scale of 0-12); post-training mean score = 10.73, p < 0.002).

Conclusions: Education about FABMs and training on use of the SDM tool improved knowledge scores even among an experienced cohort of clinicians.

Innovation: The novel SDM tool can better equip clinicians to meet the rising patient interest in FABMs.

Keywords: Family planning; Fertility awareness; Medical knowledge; Shared decision making.