Reproductive Health Counseling in Rheumatology: Gaps, Barriers, and Patient Impact
Authors' conclusion
Reproductive health counseling for rheumatology patients of childbearing potential is essential.
Study context
- Population
- Female rheumatology patients of childbearing potential not planning pregnancy18% of women aged 18–50 seen
- Participants
- 101 patients
- Outcome
- Patient-reported receipt of reproductive health counseling by a rheumatologist
Methodological detailssurvey, quality improvement interventions, provider surveys before and after interventions
- Survey
- Quality improvement interventions
- Provider surveys before and after interventions
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Ever received reproductive health counseling by a rheumatologist
All patients
70%
Patients taking teratogenic medications
85%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Factors associated with counseling
- Counseling rates higher in younger women and those taking teratogenic medications
Pregnancy-related attitudes after counseling
- Counseled women less likely to be unsure whether safe to become pregnant and more likely to talk to their rheumatologist if planning future pregnancy
Agreement of patient-reported counseling with chart documentation
- Poor agreement, except in women taking teratogenic medications
Effect of clinical interventions
- Increase in referrals to Family Planning clinic
- 625%
- Most providers found interventions made counseling easier
Original publication
Reproductive Health Counseling in Rheumatology: Gaps, Barriers, and Patient Impact. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 18 February 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →