Introduction The goal of this study is to describe the pregnancy screening and contraception counselling practice within the Departments of Oncology at McGill University Health Center as part of a needs assessment to develop a referral pathway to a complex contraception clinic.

Methods An electronic survey comprising 21 questions was delivered via email to 187 clinicians of the oncology departments providing care to patients with cancer. The survey assessed counselling practice and level of comfort regarding contraception while patients are undergoing oncologic treatment. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.

Results Of the 187 members of the oncologic department, 70 responded to the survey including oncologist, nurses, pharmacist and radiation technologists. Forty-seven percent (47%, n =33) reported always advising female patients to avoid pregnancy while on active treatment and only 36% (n=22) felt comfortable providing contraception counselling. The most common reasons identified by respondents for lack of comfort with contraception counseling was lack required knowledge (36%, n=25). Amongst oncologists (n=22), 68% (n=15) reported rarely ordering a pregnancy test prior to initiation of cancer treatment. All respondents would refer their patients to complex contraception clinic pre-treatment should it be available. Based on these results a referral pathway to a complex contraception clinic was developed.

Conclusion/Implications This survey shows a low rate of pre-treatment pregnancy screening and contraception counselling through the oncology department with lack of knowledge identified as the main barrier. This highlights an opportunity for improvement with the introduction of systematic pregnancy testing and contraception counselling via the implementation of a referral pathway to contraception specialist.