Patient Perception of Person-Centered Contraceptive Care Quality: A Mixed Methods Study

The quality of contraceptive care plays a central role in advancing reproductive autonomy, yet inequities persist in how this care is delivered and experienced, particularly for racially and socioeconomically marginalized communities. Person-centered contraceptive care, which prioritizes respect, autonomy, and shared decision-making, is increasingly recognized as a critical component of high-quality care. However, limited research has examined how patients themselves perceive person-centered care, or how these perceptions influence satisfaction and future behavior with regard to contraception care. This mixed methods study examines patient-perceived contraceptive care quality across four community-based health centers affiliated with Implementing Contraceptive Access Now (ICAN!), a statewide initiative in Illinois committed to person-centered contraceptive counseling. Grounded in person-centered care frameworks and the socioecological model, this study explores how individual, interpersonal, and provider-level factors shape patient experiences. Aims 1 and 2 use a cross-sectional survey (n=101) to assess patient- and provider-level factors associated with perceived quality of care, measured using the validated Interpersonal Quality of Family Planning (IQFP) scale. Aim 2 explores associations between perceived quality, patient satisfaction, and willingness to return to clinic for future contraceptive care, including potential mediating relationships. Aim 3 draws from in-depth interviews with a purposive subsample of survey participants (n=16) to further explore the meaning behind patient ratings and experiences. Findings suggest that while most patients report high-quality experiences, notable differences in perceived care emerged based on provider similarity. Patients emphasized the importance of feeling validated in their contraceptive choices, receiving clear and balanced information, and having the space to delay or revisit decisions. Interview data revealed how patient-provider interactions, non-clinical aspects, and provider demeanor shaped perceptions of care. This study contributes to the growing literature on person-centered care by centering the voices of patients in diverse clinical settings. Findings offer actionable insights for improving provider training, enhancing patient-provider communication, and developing strategies to support equitable, high-quality contraceptive care.