This is a brief online asynchronous education module designed to educate clinicians about contraception and encourage discussion with the patients in the emergency department. Why is this needed?  

Unintended pregnancy is defined as a mistimed or unwanted pregnancy. Although the rate of unintended pregnancy in the United States has decreased by 15% for the age group 15 – 44 from 2010 to 2019, it is still 35.7 per 1000 women.1 With advances in medicine, this rate should be almost zero. The consequences of an unintended pregnancy spread to all points of society, not just mom and baby. The female and the child have higher rates of delayed prenatal care, health complications, and mental health issues. The medical costs are increased during and after pregnancy. There are higher rates of utilization of public assistance, and lower rates of education for both mom and baby, which leads to decreased income potential for them and society.  

After an unintended pregnancy is identified, the options are dictated not only by medicine, but also by politics and current laws. This has become increasingly complicated after the reversal of Roe v Wade on June 24, 2022. As of November 2024, there are 13 states that have banned abortion, and many have imposed elective abortion limits of 6 weeks and up. Repercussions extend from the patient to the physician who can also be penalized legally or incarcerated in many states in association with abortions. 

Regardless of the legality, elective abortions have a multifaceted impact on the emotional and physical well-being of a woman. We can avoid these detrimental impacts. The best choice is to avoid unintended pregnancy. Fortunately, there is a way. Contraception is a reliable way to avoid unintended pregnancy. These contraception methods include oral contraception, injection, implants, adhesive contraception, and the ring. However, a large percentage of women are not practicing abstinence and not on contraception exist; therefore, they are at risk. Healthcare and physicians must address barriers to contraception that affect all women, especially those in lower socioeconomic groups. Contraception access is challenging in many facets, including access to healthcare, financial resources, transportation issues, scheduling issues, and access to medications. All these barriers can result in neglecting contraception usage. This is more important in today’s emotionally and politically charged world. Thus, an issue that we should address at ANY touchpoint in healthcare.  

One touchpoint is the emergency department, especially for lower socioeconomic classes. Often, the woman may present to the emergency department for a pregnancy concern or an unrelated medical complaint. This may be the only access or encounter with healthcare for these patients. Due to the dynamic environment and physician comfort level, contraception is usually not addressed.  This is a MISSED healthcare encounter that could be used to address contraception use. If we could change this paradigm and make it a customary practice, WE could help prevent unintended pregnancies and the associated cascading issues that affect the patient, the baby, physician and society.  

Through an asynchronous education module, the goal is to normalize contraception discussions in the emergency department by increasing awareness and increasing the comfort and knowledge of Emergency Medicine Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers who evaluate these patients. Together WE can make a difference in the lives of our patients.