The Organization and Delivery of Family Planning Services in Community Health Centers
Document Type
Article
Department or Administrative Unit
Nutrition Exercise and Health Sciences
Publication Date
5-2015
Abstract
Background
Family planning and related reproductive health services are essential primary care services for women. Access is limited for women with low incomes and those living in medically underserved areas. Little information is available on how federally funded health centers organize and provide family planning services.
Methods
This was a mixed methods study of the organization and delivery of family planning services in federally funded health centers across the United States. A national survey was developed and administered (n = 423) and in-depth case studies were conducted of nine health centers to obtain detailed information on their approach to family planning.
Findings
Study findings indicate that health centers utilize a variety of organizational models and staffing arrangements to deliver family planning services. Health centers' family planning offerings are organized in one of two ways, either a separate service with specific providers and clinic times or fully integrated with primary care. Health centers experience difficulties in providing a full range of family planning services.
Major Challenges
Major challenges include funding limitations; hiring obstetricians/gynecologists, counselors, and advanced practice clinicians; and connecting patients to specialized services not offered by the health center.
Conclusions
Health centers play an integral role in delivering primary care and family planning services to women in medically underserved communities. Improving the accessibility and comprehensiveness of family planning services will require a combination of additional direct funding, technical assistance, and policies that emphasize how health centers can incorporate quality family planning as a fundamental element of primary care.
Recommended Citation
Goldberg, D. G., Wood, S. F., Johnson, K., Mead, K. H., Beeson, T., Lewis, J., & Rosenbaum, S. (2015). The Organization and Delivery of Family Planning Services in Community Health Centers. Women’s Health Issues, 25(3), 202–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2015.02.007
Journal
Women's Health Issues
Rights
Copyright © 2015 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Comments
This article was originally published in Women's Health Issues. The full-text article from the publisher can be found here.
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