Abstract
Objective
To understand if women anticipate a difference in reproductive healthcare when attending
a Catholic institution.
Study design
A convenience sample of reproductive-aged women in the Denver metro area completed
an online survey. Women were randomized to hypothetical women’s health clinics at
either a secular or Catholic hospital and asked about expectations for family planning
care. Questions covered contraception and management of abnormal or unintended pregnancy.
We subsequently assessed provider/site preferences for care.
Results
We analyzed 236 surveys. The majority of participants expected their gynecologist
to provide all family planning services presented. The only difference based on institution
was that participants randomized to the Catholic hospital were more likely to expect
natural family planning advice. At least half of respondents reported they would seek
care from their gynecologist for the services surveyed with the exceptions of emergency
contraception and elective abortion.
Conclusions
Overall, this cohort of women did not anticipate differences in reproductive healthcare
based on institution. If women who enroll at Catholic hospitals do not receive information
related to potential healthcare restrictions, their ability to act as informed healthcare
consumers may be constrained.
Implications
Women did not anticipate differences in reproductive healthcare based on institution
type (Catholic vs. secular) and, thus, their ability to act as informed healthcare
consumers may be constrained.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 30, 2014
Accepted:
June 15,
2014
Received in revised form:
June 3,
2014
Received:
April 2,
2014
Footnotes
☆Funding was received from the Academic Enrichment Fund of the University of Colorado Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
☆☆To be presented as an oral abstract at the North American Forum on Family Planning on October 12, 2014 in Miami, Florida.
★Requests for reprints can be sent to the corresponding author.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
