A general medical practice is an ideal site for the provision of family planning services as long as careful consideration is given to organizational and administrative factors. At present, two-thirds of family planning consultations in the UK are conducted in general practice. Although physicians should feel free to address family planning issues in general medical consultations, formation of a family planning clinic separate from the medical practice is recommended to allow more time for discussion and teamwork. A specific day and time can be allocated for family planning services. In general, 2 hours/week is adequate for a practice of 4500 patients. In staffing the clinic, a family planning nurse should be considered as essential as the physician. In addition to conducting procedures such as history taking, examination, and counseling, a nurse can help patients overcome cultural or sexual barriers to seeking family planning services. At minimum, the clinic nurse should have completed the course 900, while the physician should be certified by the UK Joint Committee on Contraception. Measurement of current performance and assessment of deficits should become an integral part of any family planning service in general practice.

作者：J, Bahrami

来源：The Practitioner 1991 年 235卷 1508期