Background

Unintended pregnancy continues to be a widespread problem in the United States. Correct and consistent use of effective contraception is one of the best ways to prevent unintended pregnancy—but even though most US women use some form of reversible contraception, nearly half of all pregnancies each year are unintended. Intrauterine contraception (IUC) is one of the most effective reversible methods available, providing safe, “forgettable” contraception for 5–10 years. Yet despite the vital role IUC can play in reducing unintended pregnancy, this method is consistently underused in the US. Inadequate provider training and limited knowledge among women are key reasons why IUC isn’t more widely used.

The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) has worked for decades to ensure that US women have accurate information about and access to all available contraceptive options in an effort to reduce continued high rates of unintended pregnancy. One of our main strategies for achieving this goal is to increase the number of women’s health care providers who can identify IUC candidates, offer evidence-based IUC counseling, and successfully insert the devices. To complement our provider training activities, ARHP also strives to educate women and their providers about IUC by correcting myths and misinformation.

To meet the need for better clinical education about intrauterine contraception, ARHP has developed a continuing medical education (CME) curriculum on the topic. The curriculum has been developed with the advice and guidance of a committee of clinical expert ARHP members. An endorsed faculty will present the curriculum in various venues throughout 2012.

Over the past five years, ARHP has been instrumental in developing IUC accredited continuing medical education. ARHP has been working to increase the use of IUCs in the US through our multi-year accredited continuing medical education program, A Clinical Update on Intrauterine Contraception. Between March 2007 and May 2008, ARHP reached over 2,170 health care providers with evidence-based information about IUCs via 56 live sessions, six live Web-based seminars (Webinars), and two archived Webinars. In 2009, ARHP provided evidence-based IUC education via 23 live sessions and 6 special cases live sessions. The 2012 funded accredited continuing medical education program, Provider Education and Training to Increase Use of Intrauterine Contraception continues to increase clinician knowledge regarding safety and efficacy of IUCs, medical eligibility criteria for appropriate IUC candidates, and proper IUC insertion techniques will update and expand ARHP’s IUC program.

Finer LB, Henshaw SK. Disparities in rates of unintended pregnancy in the United States, 1994 and 2001. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2006 Jun;38(2):90-6.

Program Design and Educational Activities

ARHP will place CME presentations at a variety of venues throughout 2012. Session venues will include national and regional society meetings, family planning clinics, and other public health settings. Select sessions will include a hands-on non-accredited insertion practicum immediately following the CME presentation. ARHP will also offer the didactic lecture with discussion via a webinar at www.arhp.org/webcme.

Curriculum Learning Objectives

Name the two forms of intrauterine contraception available in the United States
Rank efficacy associated with intrauterine contraceptives compared with other contraceptive methods
List three selection criteria for appropriate candidates for intrauterine contraception
Identify two possible side effects of each type of intrauterine contraceptive
Develop skills required for proper insertion techniques for the two methods of intrauterine contraception
Discuss strategies for follow-up of intrauterine contraceptive users

Hands-On Practicum Objectives for all intrauterine contraception

Develop skills required for proper insertion techniques for the two methods of intrauterine contraception available in the US.

Intended Audience and Accreditation

The intended audience for this program includes nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, physicians, physician assistants, and other health care providers in obstetrics/gynecology, and family medicine. Sessions will include a combination of the peer-reviewed curriculum featuring didactic lecture and discussion, along with a hands-on practicum with the LNG IUS and Copper T IUD. The hands-on practicum, held after the didactic lecture, helps health care providers feel more comfortable doing pelvic procedures and are best suited for an audience of 30 people. To ensure that participants receive enough personal attention and guidance, ARHP enlists the help of a second health care professional, in addition to the presenter, to assist learners at the practicum session. ARHP can also give a didactic-only presentation without the practicum to a large group of health care providers.

ARHP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. ARHP also partners with other accrediting organizations to provide nursing contact hours and other forms of credentialing to reproductive health professionals who participate in our educational activities. ARHP has applied to be an accredited provider of pharmacist credit through the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). All ARHP programs are peer-reviewed by experts in the field of reproductive health.

Funding

This project is funded through educational grants from Teva Pharmaceuticals.

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