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Biomedical subjects

Lee Ann E Conard

Publications and source records attributed to Lee Ann E Conard.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Emergency contraception.

Emergency contraception is increasing in use and has become a universal standard of care in the United States. This article reviews available forms of emergency contraception, their indications, contraindications, adverse effects and efficacy at preventing pregnancy. This article describes the mechanism of action of different forms of emergency contraception and provides recommendations on when to start or restart an ongoing method of contraceptive after emergency contraception use. Literature on the impact of the advance provision of emergency contraception on contracepting behaviors is reviewed, and behavior change counseling related to emergency contraception is described.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Emergency contraceptive pills: a review of the recent literature.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to inform the reader of new information published since early 2003 about emergency contraception, with a particular focus on issues of access. RECENT FINDINGS: Research continues to document low but increasing levels of knowledge about emergency contraception, increasing use, and more positive attitudes towards emergency contraception by both patients and healthcare providers. Additional information is available about efficacy and mechanisms of action. More reports of side-effects have been published, as have studies relating to the impact of emergency contraception on sexual and contracepting behaviors. Advance provision, provision by pharmacists, and over-the-counter status have been studied as ways to improve access to emergency contraception. SUMMARY: Knowledge about the efficacy, safety, types and use of emergency contraception continues to increase. Although patients have greater awareness of and more access to emergency contraception, there are still numerous barriers to its use even in countries where it is available over the counter. Healthcare providers must continue to educate themselves and their patients about emergency contraception even when it becomes available over the counter. In countries where emergency contraception is only available by prescription, providers should offer an advance prescription or supply (where available), and use newer dosing regimens for levonorgestrel-only emergency contraception to increase adherence and efficacy. Developing collaborative practice agreements with pharmacists to increase access is also recommended. Patients should be counseled to seek follow-up if no menses occurs within 3 weeks of taking emergency contraception or if symptoms such as lower abdominal pain occur after the use of emergency contraception.

Contraceptives, Postcoital↗
PubMed2003

Pharmacists' attitudes toward and practices with adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents often face barriers to health care. As pharmacists' scope of practice expands, they may be in positions to decrease barriers to care for adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To describe pharmacists' attitudes toward and practices with adolescents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional self-administered survey of chief pharmacists at 1361 Indiana pharmacies. Survey items inquired about sociodemographic variables, adolescent-specific pharmacy practices, and training in adolescent health issues. SETTING: All active, licensed pharmacies in Indiana were surveyed. PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred forty-eight surveys (70%) were returned. Sixty-five percent of responding pharmacists were male, 54% were younger than 45 years, and 58% had been practicing for more than 15 years; 47% practiced in areas with fewer than 30 000 people. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pharmacists' attitudes toward and practices with adolescents. RESULTS: The majority of pharmacists (94%) dispensed prescriptions for adolescents, but 57% felt inadequately trained in adolescent-specific issues. Forty-eight percent of pharmacies did not dispense emergency contraception. Pharmacists were more likely to report dispensing contraceptives directly to 17-year-olds than to 14-year-olds, and were more likely to report contacting a parent or provider before dispensing contraceptives to 14-year-olds. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents often require pharmacy services, but many pharmacists feel inadequately trained in adolescent-specific issues. Confidentiality may not be maintained by all members of the health care team, and a prescription may be refused by the receiving pharmacist. Younger adolescents may face more barriers to care than older adolescents. Increasing pharmacists' knowledge and skills in adolescent issues, especially confidentiality, may decrease barriers to care and improve adolescent health outcomes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Sexual function, sexual abuse and sexually transmitted diseases in adolescence.

As adolescents progress through puberty, many biological changes occur and, for young women, this includes the onset of menses and the capability for reproduction. During this time, sexual identity is developed and expressions of sexuality become more frequent. Adolescent women engage in a variety of sexual behaviours, both non-coital and coital. As teens begin dating relationships, they are at risk for dating violence and sexual abuse. Some may even be raped after sedation with a 'date rape' drug. As adolescents attempt to develop intimate sexual relationships, they may be at high risk for health consequences associated with sexual activity, such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Providers, such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses, must know current STD diagnosis and treatment recommendations to decrease morbidity caused by these infections. By knowing how to interview, understanding legal issues and anticipating concerns pertinent to teens, providers have the opportunity to decrease barriers to health care for adolescents.

Adolescent↗