Cross-sectional survey of ED physicians and advanced practice providers (n=50) across 5 Oregon EDs in a single health system, assessing knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and perceived barriers to providing contraceptive care in the ED.
72% felt contraception prescribing was important and 78% felt it was feasible, yet only 24% were actively managing contraception and only 73% currently offer emergency contraception. Academic site clinicians were significantly more likely to initiate hormonal therapy (28% vs 9%, p<0.001) and willing to offer injectable contraception (89% vs 36%, p<0.001). Top barriers: follow-up concerns, time constraints, and training gaps.
Low response rate (26% of practice population, n=50) at a single health system in Oregon limits generalizability. Self-report survey design introduces social desirability bias. No patient outcome data collected.
Most ED clinicians see contraception provision as important and doable, but a gap exists between attitude and action — targeted training and systems support (e.g., referral pathways, time-efficient protocols) may help EDs serve as a meaningful contraceptive safety net.
