Ronis, TovaFrankovich, JenniferYen, SophiaSandborg, ChristyChira, Peter2015-11-062015-11-062014-04Ronis, T., Frankovich, J., Yen, S., Sandborg, C., & Chira, P. (2014). A Pilot Study of Reproductive Health Counseling in a Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic. Arthritis Care & Research, 66(4), 631–635. http://doi.org/10.1002/acr.22159https://hdl.handle.net/1805/7383Objective: To assess perception and behavior after reproductive health counseling among adolescent patients in a tertiary care-based pediatric rheumatology clinic. Methods: Adolescent females seen at Stanford pediatric rheumatology clinic were prospectively enrolled during routine visits. At study start, standard clinic procedures for the following were reviewed with providers: 1) HEADSS (home, education, activities, drugs, sexual activity, and suicide/depression) assessment; 2) reproductive health counseling; and 3) medical record documentation. Patients were enrolled if providers indicated that they performed HEADSS assessment and reproductive health counseling. At enrollment, patients completed a survey to assess perceptions of reproductive health counseling. Chart review confirmed documented discussions. Follow-up survey 3-5 months after enrollment tracked reproductive health information seeking behavior. Results: Ninety females (ages 17 ± 2 years old) participated. Almost all patients (99%) agreed that reproductive health was discussed. Seventy-one percent reported that pregnancy risks were discussed, 42% had recent concerns about reproductive health, and 33% reported their provider recommended that they seek further reproductive health care. Eighty-four patients completed follow-up phone surveys, with 25% reporting seeking further information on reproductive health concerns but merely 9.5% actually sought further care. Only 18% reported having ever asked their rheumatology provider for guidance regarding reproductive health care concerns. Conclusion: Routine reproductive health discussion and counseling are necessary in a rheumatology clinic; as in our experience, a substantial number of adolescents have concerns and actively seek reproductive health information. Despite these discussions, teens rarely pursued further reproductive health care. Further work to bridge this gap is needed.AdolescentAdolescent Health ServicesAmbulatory Care FacilitiesCounselingFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHealth Services Needs and DemandHealth SurveysHumansInformation Seeking BehaviorReproductive HealthRheumatic DiseasesArticle