Purpose: This pilot project assessed the feasibility and success of remote contraceptive counseling by clerkship students.
Background: We identified an opportunity for optimizing patient access and engaging students during the COVID-19 pandemic through remote contraceptive counseling. Specifically, intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM) requires in-person clinic visits, and by contacting scheduled patients to offer a switch to self-administered subcutaneous injections (DMPA-SC) students could both meet clerkship learning objectives and increase patient access to an alternative at-home contraceptive option.
Methods: Students called scheduled DMPA-IM patients to discuss contraceptive options, including switching from DMPA-IM to DMPA-SC or to another method if desired. Students also assessed patient safety and need for cervical cancer screening or other exam. Descriptive data presented is from chart review and qualitative student and faculty feedback.
Results: Students described increased confidence in counseling on contraceptive options, in logistics of providing telehealth and in independently managing patient concerns through this project. Faculty confirmed the learning experience was an efficient intervention to meet learning objectives while providing meaningful patient contact. Of the 22 calls completed by students 13 (59%) of patients expressed interest in a method change; within 3 months of student counseling 9 (41%) initiated DMPA-SC, and 11 (50%) continued DMPA-IM.
Discussions: This pilot demonstrates a scalable prototype for remote medical student learning and involvement in clinical care that could be easily adapted to calls for follow-up post-operatively or postpartum, or after the initiation of any contraceptive method.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2022, Student, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Practice-Based Learning & Improvement, UME, Virtual Patient, Contraception or Family Planning,
Caryn Dutton, MD, MS, Harvard Medical School; Mugdha Mokashi; Sonya Bharadwa; K. Meredith Atkins, MD
