PROGRAM OVERVIEW

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of the program, you should be able to:

• List key elements of pregnancy options and informed consent counseling
• Consider benefits of providing services in a primary care vs. specialty setting
• Describe management options for early pregnancy loss
• Describe the steps involved or provide early medication abortion care
• Describe the steps involved or provide uterine aspiration for abortion or early pregnancy loss
• Describe the management of complications related to early pregnancy loss, medication abortion, and uterine aspiration
• Provide patient-centered contraceptive counseling and management

TRAINING SUMMARY

Training will vary depending on the setting. We encourage use in professional training programs, clinics, or individual practice in the U.S. or abroad. When this curriculum is reviewed as part of hands-on clinical training, each trainee should:

• Meet with faculty for orientation and values exploration around pregnancy options
• Follow patient(s) through visits from counseling to recovery
• Review best practices and participate in person-centered reproductive counseling
• Review routine aftercare and follow-up including for those referred out
• Discuss cases involving routine care and rare complications
• Learn the contraceptive options, contraindications, side effects, initiation and removal
• Participate in counseling, evaluation, and management of early pregnancy loss

Those participating in abortion training will also:

• Review steps to evaluate and counsel patients for medication abortion
• Handle procedural instruments using the “no touch” technique
• Observe and perform first-trimester uterine aspiration procedures
• Perform tissue examinations to identify pregnancy elements accurately

LENGTH OF TRAINING

• We encourage evaluation focused on core competencies for individual learners rather than a specific number of procedures or sessions. Length of training can change depending on gestational age of pregnancy, procedural numbers obtained per learning session, and individual factors.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Those interested in gaining more in-depth skills and knowledge may also want to complete additional learning opportunities highlighted in the chart on the next page, as well as additional clinical sessions to gain further exposure to medication and aspiration abortion, complication management, and complex cases  Read Chapter 9 on Abortion Provision for information on additional training, advocacy and leadership opportunities.