Assessing and Enhancing Sexual and Reproductive Health in Medical School Curriculum

To comprehensively assess and treat patients, physicians need to be knowledgeable in reproductive health care provision. Yet, medical schools often provide minimal instruction in subjects like contraception, abortion and the acquisition of sexual histories. As participants in Project-in-a-Box: “Achieving Curriculum Reform at Your Medical School,” students from four medical schools assessed their institutions' sexual and reproductive Health (SRH) curriculum in order to make recommendations for improved training in these areas. The project was coordinated by American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health (PRCH), and Medical Students for Choice (MSFC). In addition to gathering data regarding existing curricular content, the project helped students increase their knowledge of medical education systems; develop data collection and analysis skills; and learn to mobilize fellow students Recruitment: The convening organizations invited AMSA and MSFC members to apply to participate. Students from five schools were initially chosen but one school dropped out due to time constraints. Methods: Five activities were implemented to identify gaps in SRH education: 1)Assess curriculum by evaluating syllabi 2)Administer questionnaires and in-depth interviews with medical students, faculty, and alumni 3)Synthesize and analyze data 4)Present data and develop action plan at participating schools 5)Form a student task force to synthesize results and generate action plans

Presenters will discuss current gaps in SRH education in medical schools and introduce data results from the four schools. Participants and presenters will dialogue about the need, benefit, and challenges of enhancing SRH education in medical education.