The CART Access Project
Advancing access to abortion for under-served populations through tools for health professionals and people seeking care
In partnership with The Contraception & Abortion Research Team (CART) and funded by Health Canada, UBC CPD is creating education for health professionals across Canada who can provide abortion care: physicians, midwives, registered nurses and others. The project addresses intersectionality and the compounding of historic, systemic and sustained barriers to seeking care/optimal care for underserved populations. Through the discovery, creation and delivery of professional development, we will focus on the learning gaps that currently exist and create education to help address these educational needs.
Phase 1: Discovery (ends July 2023)
In this phase we are speaking with stakeholders across the country to prepare for four focus group sessions:
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Experts in abortion care — those who regularly provide abortion care (surgical and/or medical).
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Family physicians and nurse practitioners — potential prescribers of medical abortions who do not currently prescribe
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Non-prescribers — Health professionals (midwives, registered nurses, pharmacists, etc.) who cannot prescribe medical abortion but take part in the journey to accessing abortion care
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People with lived experience – those who have received abortion care in Canada
The patient voice
The inclusion of patient voices in the planning, development and implementation of continuing professional development provides unique perspectives and advances patient- and family-centred care. We accept lived and living experience as a form of evidence.
How to participate
Health professionals can indicate their interest to participate in the needs assessment by June 30, 2023, through the online form.
Individuals with lived experience, those who have sought abortion care in Canada, can indicate their interest to participate in a focus group by July 7, 2023, through the online form.
Phase 2: Education Design and Development (ends Feb 2024)
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Learning objectives and outline
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Learning format determined
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Education development
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Testing
Phase 3: Education Delivery and Marketing (ends March 2024)
Stay tuned for more about this project.
Our partner
The Contraception & Abortion Research Team (CART) is a national, interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral collaboration performing research to support health services and policies to ensure equitable access to high-quality family planning knowledge, methods and services for people and families throughout Canada.
CART-GRAC is co-led by Dr. Wendy V. Norman and Dr. Sarah Munro, with infrastructure at The University of British Columbia, within the Women’s Health Research Institute of British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre and the Provincial Health Services Authority.