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Preventing Unplanned Pregnancy: The Continued Need for Clinical Education about Emergency Contraception
 
Preventing Unplanned Pregnancy: The Continued Need for Clinical Education about Emergency Contraception

The Preventing Unplanned Pregnancy: The Continued Need for Clinical Education about Emergency Contraception program is designed to prepare providers to appropriately and consistently discuss EC in practice, thus expanding access to this vital contraceptive method for women of reproductive age.

For more information about the program, please contact Camille Harris at charris@arhp.org or (202) 621-1436.

Background

Studies have found that EC can prevent an estimated 75 percent of pregnancies when taken within five days after unprotected sex 1 2. Since timing is essential for effective use of EC, it is critical that women are able to access this medication without delay. In the US, anyone age 17 and older can purchase EC over-the-counter (OTC), but younger women must present a prescription at the pharmacy to obtain the medication. Regardless of OTC availability, many women report a desire to consult a health care professional for guidance when taking EC 3. Even with improved access, myths and misinformation among consumers and health care providers continue to cause harmful delays in obtaining EC, and in some cases, prevent women from ever getting EC.

Program Design and Educational Activities

  • Power point slide set with talking points, case studies and learning activities
  • Integration of content into CORE, ARHP’s on-line, open-access collection of peer-reviewed, evidence-based teaching materials
  • Live and archived webinar sessions
  • ARHP's accredited monograph Clinical Proceedings
  • Emergency contraception: Update for pharmacists online CPE course (designed for pharmacists - requires free registration at APhA)

Curriculum Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this program, participants should be able to:

  • Describe emergency contraceptive products (ECPs) including progestin-only EC pills, regimens, and ease of access
  • Describe ECPs’ mechanism of action to improve patients’ understanding and dispel myths surrounding ECPs
  • Respond to patients’ concerns about the safety and efficacy of ECPs according to FDA guidelines
  • Provide evidence-based EC information and appropriate patient counseling to insure improved health care outcomes

Intended Audience and Accreditation

Educational offerings have been developed for health care providers (pharmacists, physicians, physician assistants, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and other professionals) and patients.

The live and archived webinars and the Clinical Proceedings associated with this program are accredited for continuing medical education, nursing contact hours, pharmacology, and pharmacist credits.

Funding

This project is funded through an educational grant from Duramed Research, Inc., a subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals.  

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  1. Cheng L, Gülmezoglu AM, Piaggio G, et al. Interventions for emergency contraception. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD001324.
  2. Trussell J, Rodriguez G, Ellertson C. Updated estimates of the effectiveness of the Yuzpe regimen of emergency contraception. Contraception. 1999 Mar; 59(3):147-51.
  3. Wu J, Gipson T, Chin N, et al. Women seeking emergency contraceptive pills by using the Internet. Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Jul; 110(1):44-52.