Evaluating Dermatology Residents Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill Prescribing Practices, Knowledge, and Comfort Level in the Management of Acne Vulgaris: A Cross-sectional Survey Study.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs) are safe and effective therapies for females with acne vulgaris. Data is lacking regarding dermatology residents' COCs use. We aimed to evaluate dermatology residents' knowledge, comfort level, and prescribing practices of COCs in the management of acne vulgaris.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was emailed to current dermatology residents in approved training programs and descriptive statistics were performed.

RESULTS: Most residents reported that COCs are an effective treatment for acne (160/170, 94.1%) but, less felt adequately trained on efficacy (105/170, 61.8%) and safety (72/170, 42.4%). 30 percent (51/170) of residents' attending physicians regularly prescribed COCs for acne. Half were comfortable counseling patients on adverse effects of COCs (86/170, 50.6%) while fewer were comfortable counseling on how to properly take COCs (66/170, 38.8%). 60 percent (102/170) felt comfortable prescribing COCs to healthy adolescents while 66.5 percent (113/170) were comfortable prescribing to adults.

LIMITATIONS: Limitations include a small sample size, response bias, and inability to calculate an accurate response rate.

CONCLUSION: This data suggests most residents recognize COCs are an effective treatment for acne vulgaris, but less feel adequately trained. Several knowledge gaps and potential educational interventions regarding COCs, including safety, efficacy, adverse effects, and contraindications, are highlighted.

Volume

16

Issue

1

First Page

47

Last Page

50

ISSN

1941-2789

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

36743974

Department(s)

Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine Fellows and Residents, Fellows and Residents

Document Type

Article

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