Feasibility of adolescent contraceptive care in the pediatric emergency department: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background This study assessed feasibility constructs of adolescent contraceptive care in the pediatric emergency department (PED), including contraception initiation. Methods We conducted a randomized trial in two PEDs with pregnancy‐capable adolescents aged 15–18 years who were assigned to enhanced usual care (usual) or same‐day initiation (same day). All received counseling and clinic referral, but same‐day participants could also receive contraception in the PED. We trained PED clinicians in counseling and prescribing. Adolescents and clinicians rated feasibility using five Likert‐type items (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree) after the session. We assessed PED medication initiation and appropriateness via medical record review and contraception use and side effects at 30 days via adolescent survey. To further explore feasibility, we conducted clinician interviews at study completion; these were audio‐recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. We hypothesized contraceptive care would be feasible (defined as average score ≥ 4 across five survey items). Results We enrolled 37 adolescents (12 in usual and 25 in same‐day), mean age was 16.6 years, 73% were Black, and 19% were Hispanic. We trained 27 clinicians. Average feasibility scores were 4.6 ± 0.4 (adolescents) and 4.1 ± 0.8 (clinicians). Eleven (44%) same‐day participants initiated contraception in the PED. One adolescent with migraines initially received estrogen‐containing pills; this was corrected after discharge. At 30 days, same‐day participants were more likely to report contraception use (78% vs. 13%; p = 0.007). One adolescent reported bloating as a side effect. Clinicians enjoyed delivering contraceptive care, found study resource materials useful, and identified staffing shortages as a barrier to care delivery. Conclusions We are among the first to report on PED‐based adolescent contraception initiation to prevent unintended pregnancy. Adolescents and clinicians reported that contraceptive care was feasible. Initiation was common and medications were largely appropriate and tolerated. Future efforts should explore integrating contraceptive care into routine PED care.