When family planning providers have the skills, resources, and support to be good counselors, clients make better informed decisions, use methods more effectively and longer, and make more appropriate changes among methods. Lauren Goodsmith A health worker in Morocco counsels a woman, describing various family planning methods with the help of a demonstration kit. Tailoring information to the needs of clients and presenting information in different ways, including take-home print materials, encourages effective OC use. Exchange of information is key. Counseling often can help the client both choose and use a method.
Most clients already have a method in mind when they meet with a provider.
In this case, the provider's responsibility is to make sure that the client's choice is based on accurate understanding of the method and awareness of other options. The provider can help the client consider whether the method she prefers suits her own needs and situation. Since in some places OCs are better known than other methods almost synonymous with family planning itself counselors may need to check especially that clients who ask for OCs are aware of other options. Once the client confirms her choice, the provider's responsibility is to help her use her method effectively and with satisfaction. If a woman chooses OCs, the provider discusses how to take the pill, what to do if one or more pills are missed, what to do if common side effects occur, when and how to use back-up methods, and what symptoms indicate a need to seek immediate care from a doctor or nurse.