Results of a Medical Student-Initiated Family Planning Elective Course With an Optional Research Component

This session will share our success in conducting a family planning elective that provided a safe space to ask questions and explore reproductive issues beyond media bites and party platforms. We will share the first-year results of an IRB-approved research study designed to answer the question "What do preclinical medical students really know about family planning and reproductive issues?" We designed an elective course for students that was nonpolitical and nonreligious in structure, based only on existing scientific evidence in a supportive classroom environment. Our hope was to initiate nonbiased education on a politically hot topic that could lead to more open attitudes as medical students progressed into clinical years and residency. Course content included: taking a sexual history, LBGT issues, contraceptive options, first and second trimester abortion, sexual assault, infertility, assisted reproductive technology, and standardized patient experiences. Most importantly, the investigators stressed, "How do we talk to students about sex?" Daily informal evaluation provided qualitative comments about what students know and don't know about basic family planning and gender identity issues. These comments will be extremely helpful to anyone planning similar courses.

Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:

1. Utilize an informal daily course evaluation form to elicit honest qualitative course feedback instead of yes or no responses.
2. Identify key components to designing a family planning course in a supportive classroom environment that provides a safe space to ask questions and address medical student knowledge deficits.
3. Discuss use of standardized patient experiences that focus on communication skills specific to sexuality across the lifespan and across genders.