Journal of Contraception Reproductive Health Care - The European ...

The 8th Congress of The European Society of Contraception Abstracts of Invited Speakers
IS-05
Contraception from a holistic perspective – a user view
T. Belfield
Family Planning Association, UK
Patients, consumers, users, clients are all terms for women and men who receive sexual health services. The reality is whatever
we call people we see for information, advice, support and treatment – without them we would have no role. The last 30 years
has seen a huge change in the availability and provision of contraceptive methods. Contraception has moved from the narrow
confines of women’s welfare to being an integral part of sexual health. This recognises that contraception involves men, is
provided for in many different types of settings and importantly must be seen as more than just protecting against unplanned
pregnancy, and needs to encompass the wider area of sexual health including sexual infection, abortion and sexual wellbeing.
Research shows us that people are having more sexual partners, that they are knowledgeable about contraception and the use of
condoms but do not use contraception consistently or always correctly, that sexually transmitted infections are increasing and
that there is a wide variability in sexual lifestyles by age, gender, relationship and residence and all this is normal. Research also
shows us that people do not always behave rationally, or in an organised or planned manner with their sex lives. As such sexual
health services need to develop a holistic approach and become more ‘person-centred’ and must address more than ‘just the
waist down’ but involve ‘hearts and minds’ too.
This short presentation will look at user’s perspectives on contraception and contraceptive services to provide an understanding
of what people think about contraceptive methods, and how this translates into use or non-use of contraception, and why
contraceptive provision must be seen within the context of sexual health.
IS-06
Holistic approach to contraception – the role of provider
M. Short
Dublin, Ireland
Holistic medicine is a system of health care which fosters a co-operative relationship among all those involved from those that
require the service to all staff involved, leading towards optimal attainment of health and well being. With internet access and a
more and often better informed public, there is a changing expectation of the role of service provision and the doctor/patient
relationship. Consumer driven reproductive health care is a feature of the late 20 th century to the present day. Magazine articles
encourage the latest trends in contraceptive usage whereas media scares influence prevalence of a particular contraceptive. In
practice the interview process and treatment is tailored to individual needs and in some cases requests but consumer behaviour
(patient behaviour) in affluent societies is not autonomous but is shaped by reference groups and life styles. In traditional societies
the approach is more individualistic.
A quality service should ensure that members of staff have as much time as possible for each client and facilities within the practice
to ensure privacy, confidentiality in comfortable surroundings in both the waiting and consulting areas. The way is open for
a new approach to medicine but time honoured paternalistic behaviours remain substantially unchanged in the standard model
of the doctor/patient relationship. Contraception and reproductive health care remain sensitive important social cultural and
public health matters and delivery of service must continue apace with changing societal needs.
14 The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care