Abstract

Student-to-Student Training Increases Awareness of and Shifts Attitudes Regarding Reproductive Health

Adriana J Wong1, Jessica Brosch1, Daniela Diego1, Alakh Gulati1, Leah Hellerstein1, Suzanne Lippman2, Lawren Mundy, PhD, APRN-BC2, Sean Oldak1, Lindsey Winer, MD1, Desiree Fiorentino, MD2 and Christine Curry, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., PHD3
(1)University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, (2)University of Miami, Miami, FL, (3)Jackson Health Systems/ University of Miami, Miami, FL

APHA 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 4 - Nov. 8)

Background: Although the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that medical students graduate with the knowledge and skills to counsel patients on the full range of reproductive health options, including long acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) and abortion, many do not. At our institution, medical students under faculty mentorship sought to improve medical education on these topics through a student-to-student teaching model. This student-taught curriculum has been shown to increase awareness of and shift attitudes regarding reproductive health. Methods: Senior medical students designed a two day, 8-hour training program to educate first-year Student Reproductive Health Advocates in contraception, patient counseling, pregnancy options, and legal-financial concerns. Pre- and post-training surveys assessed students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding reproductive healthcare. Results: Seventeen students completed pre-and post-training surveys, 15 were female, 2 were male, and the average age was 23.9 years. Our program resulted in improved knowledge of reproductive healthcare, from a pre-training score of 61.18% to a post-training score of 81.18% (p <0.01). The training was associated with a change in attitudes regarding reproductive health, with 58.8% students strongly agreeing that abortion is safe pre-training and 76.5% post-training. Similarly, 52.9% strongly agreed that abortion access was significantly restricted in their community before training and 82.4% post-training. Conclusions: Our student-led program increased knowledge of contraception, abortion options and barriers to healthcare. Expansion of our model into medical curricula would improve student training.

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs Advocacy for health and health education Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Provision of health care to the public