A Case-Based Approach for Addressing Hormonal Contraception

Expert Medical Advisory Committee Vanessa Cullins, MD, MPH, MBA (co-chair) Vice President for Medical Affairs Planned Parenthood Federation of America New York, NY Linda Dominguez, RN-C, NP Assistant Medical Director Planned Parenthood of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM Kamini Geer, MD Fellowship, Family Planning Montefiore Medical Center Department of Social and Family Medicine Bronx , NY David Grimes, MD (co-chair) Vice President Biomedical Affairs Family Health International Durham, NC Scott Spear, MD Director of Clinical Services University Health Services Associate Professor of Pediatrics (CHS) University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Sandy Worthington, MSN, WHNP-BC, CNM Program Director Planned Parenthood Federation of America Philadelphia, PA

Contraception is an essential preventive health service, and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) and Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) support the use and availability of all safe and effective methods of contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies. Health care professionals’ biases and gaps in knowledge about hormonal contraception may unnecessarily limit this important option for many women. Through A Case-Based Approach for Addressing Hormonal Contraception, ARHP and PPFA will present real-world case studies designed to improve providers’ knowledge in this area and their ability to communicate effectively with patients about hormonal contraception.

You may request an ARHP speaker to present this medical education lecture at your event, including clinical conference or grand rounds session. Speaker honoraria and travel expenses will be covered by ARHP. To request a lecture, please click here to complete and submit the form.

For more information, please contact the program manager, Allison Tombros, MHS, at atombros@arhp.org or (202) 466-3825.

Background

Many health care providers do not feel fully proficient or current on the various methods of contraception or may hold misconceptions about available options.^1,2 This program aims to change the knowledge of providers to enable them to offer a full range of contraceptive methods to patients. It will also help providers develop greater clarity on the risks and benefits of hormonal contraception, allowing them to better help women make health decisions based on an accurate perception of risk.

Program Design and Educational Activities

ARHP and PPFA have developed A Case-Based Approach for Addressing Hormonal Contraception to improve providers’ proficiency with the range of hormonal contraceptives. All program materials will be based on the most current research and evidence in the field and the expertise of the Expert Medical Advisory Committee. Program components include:

• PowerPoint slide module with talking points in a case study format, focusing on clinical dilemmas providers face when counseling patients about the real world use of hormonal contraception
• National and regional society meeting visiting faculty sessions
• Integration of content into CORE, ARHP’s on-line, open-access collection of peer-reviewed, evidence-based teaching materials
• Professional outreach activities for the health care team

Draft Curriculum Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of these sessions, participants will be able to:

• Identify three potential challenges related to the provision of hormonal contraceptives in women
• List three strategies for effective communication with female patients of reproductive age
• Identify at least four patient counseling messages that can be used to effectively communicate the risks and benefits of hormonal contraceptives
• Describe at least three relevant case study examples that illustrate the need to address contraceptive counseling and risk with patients

Intended Audience and Accreditation

Educational offerings will be developed for health care providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse midwives, pharmacists, and other members of the health care team) to help them better understand and manage the challenges of providing hormonal contraception.

The live sessions associated with this program will be accredited for continuing medical education, nursing contact hours, pharmacology, and pharmacist credits.

Funding

This project is funded through an independent educational grant from Ortho Women’s Health and Urology.

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1. Grimes DA. Oral contraceptives today: changes, challenges, risks, and benefits. Available at: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/559116_2. Accessed December 3, 2007.

2. Stanwood NL, Garrett JM, Konrad TR. Obstetrician-Gynecologists and the Intrauterine Device: A Survey of Attitudes and Practice. Obstet Gynecol. 2002;99:275– 80.