ACOG Addresses Misinformation, Physician Advocacy, and Improving Access to Contraception in Updated Guidance

Washington, D.C. - In updated clinical guidance, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that clinicians take steps to improve their patients' access to the contraception they need through advocacy, shared decision making with patients, and efforts to combat misinformation about contraception. ACOG also recommends that programs that provide access to contraception, such as Title X and Medicaid, be protected and expanded.

ACOG's updated guidance stresses the renewed importance of access to contraception in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, as legislative barriers are upending access to care for some people.

"In order to best care for our patients, clinicians must recognize the many factors impeding our patients' access to contraception, from cuts to federal programs supporting contraceptive access to birth control misinformation online to legislative barriers threatening access to certain types of contraceptives. It's critical that our physician workforce be prepared to meet this current moment, when access to contraception is not guaranteed, and help our patients get access to the evidence-based care they need and deserve," said Christopher M. Zahn, MD, FACOG, chief of clinical practice and health equity and quality at ACOG.

In the face of growing misinformation about contraception, ACOG's new guidance recommends that ob-gyns be aware of and prepared to address the most common misperceptions about contraceptive methods in a way that is age appropriate and compatible with the patient's health literacy. Ob-gyns can also address misinformation by being a source of medically accurate and comprehensive sexuality education in their communities.

"Our patients are increasingly encountering misinformation about contraception online, and we need to be prepared to address concerns in a way that is respectful and considerate of the patient's values, needs, and goals for contraception. Shared decision making empowers our patients to determine which contraceptive method is right for them and is an important part of responding to patients' concerns and values around contraception. H.R. 1 cuts to Medicaid and the defunding of reproductive health clinics threaten access to contraception options and accurate information. Physicians can advocate by opposing policies that limit patients' ability to access care while addressing birth control misinformation publicly through social media and in the clinical setting," said Noah Nattell, MD, MSc, FACOG, named author of the guidance.

ACOG recognizes the potential harm that misinformation online can have on both patients and clinicians and has developed a resource page to combat misinformation related to obstetric and gynecologic health care.

Importantly, ACOG's guidance addresses policy and legal challenges to contraception and makes recommendations for how physicians can respond to these challenges and help ensure access to contraception for all people. ACOG recommends that physicians be aware of potential privacy breaches, legal surveillance, and criminalization that can arise from data provided to health apps that people may be using for fertility awareness. The updated guidance states that the religious doctrines of hospital systems or health care professionals should not affect patients' access to the full range of contraceptive methods. Additionally, ACOG's updated guidance recommends that physician groups and health care institutions publicly oppose and advocate to overcome regulatory, legislative, and judicial actions that impose barriers to contraception.

"As legislation around access to contraception grows in state houses across the country, we need our colleagues to speak up and advocate on behalf of our patients. Legislative interference with reproductive health care is growing, and it is hurting our patients. We must use our voices as physicians to advocate for equitable access to evidence-based health care that honors patient autonomy and reproductive freedom," said Nisha Verma, MD, MPH, FACOG, senior advisor for reproductive health policy and advocacy at ACOG.

Committee Statement 21: Access to Contraception is available now.