Counselor bias and contraceptive counseling for women: a scoping review protocol

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this review is to identify factors, tools, and interventions related to counselor biases and contraceptive counseling in women. Introduction: Contraceptive counseling is the transfer of knowledge regarding contraceptive methods to aid an individual in selecting, discontinuing, or changing contraception. The counselor should deliver information based on the patient’s needs and preferences. The type and quality of the contraceptive information women are provided with should not vary based on social or physical factors, such as age, race, religion, sexual orientation, education level, sexual preference, or weight; however, professional bias continues to be a concern in health care. The results of this review may further the understanding of counselor bias and contraceptive counseling. Inclusion criteria: This scoping review will consider studies that include health care professionals providing contraceptive counseling to female patients in any setting or geographic location. Studies reporting on factors, tools, and interventions related to counselor bias and contraceptive counseling will be included. Methods: Databases to be searched are MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, JBI Evidence-based Practice Database, Europe PubMed Central, and Cochrane Library. Sources of gray literature will include ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, PaperFirst, and MedNar. The review will include studies published in English from 1994 and follow the JBI guidelines for scoping reviews. Two independent reviewers will screen the titles and abstracts, then full texts. Data from relevant studies will be extracted using a tool created by the reviewers. The results will be presented as a narrative summary and in diagrammatic or tabular format. Review registration: Open Science Framework osf.io/judp5