Assessing comprehension of the Parenting/Pregnancy Attitudes, Timing, and How Important (PATH) questions through cognitive interviewing

Saskia Shuman; Patty Cason; Meredith Manze

doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2023.110135

Assessing comprehension of the Parenting/Pregnancy Attitudes, Timing, and How Important (PATH) questions through cognitive interviewing

Contraception. 2023 Nov:127:110135. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2023.110135. Epub 2023 Aug 1.

Authors

Saskia Shuman¹, Patty Cason², Meredith Manze³

Affiliations

¹ The Institute for Family Health, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: sshuman@institute.org.
² Envision Sexual and Reproductive Health, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
³ Community Health and Social Sciences, CUNY School of Public Health & Health Policy, New York, NY, United States.

PMID: 37532011
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2023.110135

Abstract

Objectives: PATH, "Parenting/Pregnancy Attitudes, Timing, and How Important," is a method for providers to engage in a person-centered discussion about reproductive desires. This study sought to assess patient understanding of and receptivity to PATH questions.

Study design: Cognitive interviews were conducted with young adult (aged 18-29 years) patients at a federally qualified health center in New York (n = 10).

Results: Participants demonstrated clear comprehension and comfort with the PATH questions.

Implications: These data provide needed person-driven support for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Society of Family Planning's recommendation to implement PATH questions as a patient-centered method for discussing an individual's reproductive desires.

Keywords: Cognitive interviewing; Patient-centered care; Qualitative research; Reproductive desires.