Session Information
Session Type: Abstract Submissions (ARHP)
Background/Purpose:
Health disparities (our target communities continue to experience some of the highest rates of sexually transmitted disease and teen pregnancy in the country) related to reproductive health and lupus points to the need for sound interventions. Effective reproductive health care is crucial for teens/young adults with lupus given the multiple risk of pregnancy & high risk of sexual transmitted disease that often make medical management of lupus complex. As previously published, health professionals are often unprepared to counsel women with chronic illnesses about the potential adverse side effects of pregnancy and contraception on underlying disease. Providers may often hesitate to prescribe contraception to women with lupus due to concerns about the risk of lupus complications. Our national lupus support and education program is offered to people with lupus and their families in underserved Latino and African American communities. As part of our community service plan, we collaborated with a pediatric rheumatologist from an affiliated urban medical center, an internal rheumatology nurse practitioner and social worker to develop educational trainings to increase awareness of lupus and related treatment considerations among local reproductive health care providers in traditionally underserved areas.
Methods: Trainings were conducted at 3 reproductive health care centers that provide comprehensive care to culturally diverse teen/young adults. A 5-item post evaluation tool (Likert-scale and open-ended questions) was used to assess whether the program met its learning objective, and overall satisfaction
Results:
A total of 85 health care providers attended the trainings, of which 67 completed evaluations. 94% strongly agreed/agreed that the training contributed to their professional learning and development; 85% strongly agreed/agreed that the training will enhance their work with clients. Participants reported that the training increased their understanding of contraception options and pregnancy management in lupus patients. All participants strongly agreed/agreed that their awareness/understanding of this area of lupus has increased as a result of the traning; 76 % strongly agreed/ agreed that they would change their practice in some way as a result of the training; ie. “I will include calcium and vitamin D to medications for lupus patients”. 98% strongly agreed/agreed that the program met its educational objectives and 94% strongly agreed/agreed that they were satisfied with the training. When asked to describe how this training contributed to their learning and further care of patients, themes focused on awareness of teen lupus related issues, pregnancy concerns, and appropriate contraception options. i.e., “I am better equipped to manage lupus patients in reproductive health/primary care setting.”
Conclusion:
This pilot program has allowed us to enhance awareness, and access to trusted reproductive health care services in the community for our lupus patients. In addition, it has helped to foster mutual collaborations that enhance awareness and understanding of lupus.
Disclosure:
S. Rose,
None;
D. M. Pichardo,
None;
M. C. Richey,
GSK -Benlysta,
8;
J. Isgro,
None;
R. Horton,
None.
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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/lupus-and-reproductive-health-considerations-a-pilot-training-for-reproductive-health-care-providers-serving-teens-and-young-adults/