Recent Advancements in the Prescribing of Self-Administered Hormonal Contraception

OVERVIEW

This course introduces healthcare providers to key updates in self-administered hormonal contraception, covering access, patient-centered counseling, clinical considerations, and collaborative practice models. It also discusses non-hormonal methods for comprehensive contraceptive counseling.

Target Audience

This course is designed for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, dentists, and allied health professionals practicing across the continuum of care. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Discuss the importance of access to contraception and its impact on patient outcomes, emphasizing the role of healthcare professionals in ensuring equitable, patient-centered care.

2. Evaluate patients’ eligibility for self-administered hormonal contraceptives by conducting thorough screenings, identifying contraindications, and assessing risk factors using comprehensive health data.

3. Establish informed consent by clearly explaining contraceptive options, their effectiveness, and potential side effects to patients.

4. Promote patient-centered counseling that prioritizes safety, confidentiality, and individual health needs, while addressing all contraceptive options, including non-hormonal methods, and considering potential drug-drug interactions to ensure safe and effective care.

5. Facilitate interprofessional collaboration by promoting effective communication and coordination between pharmacists, physicians, and nurses.

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.00 ACPE Pharmacist
  • 0.00 ACPE Pharmacy Technician
  • 0.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 0.00 Completion
Course opens: 
04/01/2025
Course expires: 
10/05/2026


 Ashley H. Meredith, PharmD, MPH, BCACP, BCPS, CDCES, FCCP

Dr. Ashley Meredith is a Clinical Professor in the College of Pharmacy at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She received her PharmD from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master of Public Health from Purdue Global. She completed two years of postgraduate training with the Veterans Administration (VA). Dr. Meredith serves as the Director of Advocacy for the Center for Health Excellence, Quality and Innovation (CHEQI) at Purdue University. She has been involved at a national level with efforts to increase access to contraception and more locally helped the Purdue University Pharmacy begin contraception prescribing in 2020. Her teaching areas within the College of Pharmacy focus on Reproductive Health and creating a structured approach for patient assessment. Dr. Meredith’s research includes evaluating and support of implementation of contraception via pharmacist prescribing, assessment of clinical outcomes for pharmacist-managed services, and evaluation of patient satisfaction with pharmacist-managed clinics. 

 

Clinical Advisors

Blake A. Zwerling 

Dr. Blake Zwerling is an obstetrician/gynecologist and sub-specialist in Complex Family Planning dedicated to providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare for all patients. Prior to medical school, she received an MSc in Reproductive and Sexual Health Research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine funded by a Fulbright grant. Dr. Zwerling then pursued medical school at Stanford; residency in OB/GYN at University of California, Irvine; and fellowship in Complex Family Planning at Johns Hopkins University. She has special interest in medical education and serving LGBTQIA+ patients. Dr. Zwerling is currently an Assistant Clinic Professor in the Department of OB/GYN, Division of Complex Family Planning at the University of California, Davis. 

 

Conflicts of Interest

Disclosure: 

Ashley H. Meredith has no financial disclosures or conflicts.

Blake A. Zwerling  has no financial disclosures or conflicts.

The course planners have nothing to disclose

Anti-discrimination Policy

Dr. Meredith and the advisor have agreed to our anti-discrimination policy that prohibits the inclusion of discriminatory language, graphics, or references on the basis of race, gender identity, age, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, or religion.

PHARMACISTS AND PHARMACY TECHNICIANS

The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

ACPE Pharmacist: (# Contact Hour) UAN: 0536-9999-25-028-H01-P

ACPE Pharmacy Technician: (# Contact Hour) UAN: 0536-9999-25-028-H01-T

PHYSICIANS – AMA CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

PHYSICIANS – ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and Innovation Horizons. The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Available Credit

  • 0.00 ACPE Pharmacist
  • 0.00 ACPE Pharmacy Technician
  • 0.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 0.00 Completion
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Required Hardware/Software

High-Speed Internet Connection

Adobe Reader for PDF file download

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