On May 11, 2024, UBC CPD successfully delivered education on IUD and implant insertions to health professionals in Canada. Participants were able to learn more about unmet contraceptive needs and gain skills in comparing the benefits and risks of etonogestrel subdermal implant and intrauterine contraception.
The Implants and IUDs — Comparing and Inserting Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC) workshops took place at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver, BC.
While other conferences can accommodate hundreds of participants, this workshop format limits the number of participants to 40, to provide health professionals with the best hands-on learning experience. Demand for this workshop fills up quickly and a waitlist is used to inform learners of openings.
“Extremely happy with this workshop! The learning materials were excellent, the presenters were knowledgeable and so helpful, and the models were so valuable for hands-on learning. 10/10,” says a workshop participant.
Addressing the contraceptive landscape
To address the needs and concerns of health professionals who wish to gain confidence and skills to offer implants and IUD insertions, the course delivered expertise in three sections.
A required pre-recorded lecture (followed by in-person Q&A session) and two optional workshops
- A) implants — inserting, localizing and removing the etonogestrel subdermal implants
- B) IUDs — inserting and troubleshooting difficult insertions.
73% of participants completed evaluations for the course — 83% of which work in primary care offices or walk-in-clinics and provided feedback on the need for timely access to contraceptives for patients.
“It will allow me to provide this service to the South Island/Victoria community, where there is a long wait for LARC given lack of access to primary care,” says a workshop participant.
This past season, UBC CPD reached family physicians, specialist physicians, midwives, nurse practitioners and residents from Vancouver Island, BC to Calgary, Alberta.
Hands-on learning
In workshop A (implants), participants were provided with demos to practice inserting in a block. In workshop B (IUDs), instructors delivered education on as many IUD types as possible and provided models to practice on.
While there are numerous ways to engage with the course content, most attendees opted to participate in both the lecture and workshops and have noted benefits to hands-on practice.
When asked if the education met learning needs, 100% of participant evaluators agreed or strongly agreed.
“The hands-on use of IUDs was very helpful, especially for the copper IUDs. I appreciated the models, they were fairly realistic. I appreciated the expert knowledge/tips/pearls. Thank you for the excellent program to advance our provision of women's health,” says a workshop participant.
Looking ahead
UBC CPD aims to meet the needs of health professionals looking to enhance contraceptive knowledge and skills in smaller communities, in addition to larger, urban communities.
The next “Implants and IUDs — Comparing and Inserting Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC)” workshops will take place on Nov. 16, 2024 with guidance from experienced local providers.
Demand for this workshop is growing quickly!
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