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 AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The TEACH Curriculum serves as a didactic course, including readings, exercises, +/- optional CME. We recommend you complete readings independently, and complete case-based Exercises with a) an experienced abortion care provider b) other trainees in groups, or c) independently. Didactic curriculum should accompany clinical training to competency. See:

• Core Competencies for First Trimester Aspiration Abortion by Primary Care Clinicians, regardless of setting
• Competency Sign-off (Observed Performance Assessment) 

Clinical training will vary depending on the setting, but often takes place in professional training programs, existing abortion care clinics, and / or individual practice in the U.S. or abroad.

LENGTH OF TRAINING

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

ADDITIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

For next steps and opportunities for Becoming a Provider, Advocate, and Leader, read Chapter 9. Those interested in building more in-depth skills and knowledge can complete additional clinical sessions to gain deeper exposure to medication and aspiration abortion, complication management, and complex cases, as well as advanced chapters following foundational training, and include:

• Chapter 10) Practice Integration
• Chapter 11) Becoming a Trainer
• Chapter 12) Incremental Expansion of Abortion Care