Contraception and abortion in BC meeting: Experience guiding research guiding care

Why: Access to abortion and contraception is a challenge in BC, particularly for underserved populations. Innovative models of care developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have potential to better meet BC’s needs. We aim to convene key stakeholders to discuss these emerging opportunities, learn best practices, identify policy solutions, and co-create a roadmap for equitable family planning in BC.

What: BC Women’s Hospital and UBC’s Contraception & Abortion Research Team (CART) will convene a hybrid in-person/online one-day event. Top speakers will convey the latest evidence and interactive breakout circles will engage interdisciplinary invitees.

Who: We will convene patients, health authorities, clinical administrators, public health and community services, government leaders, and urban and rural clinicians (physicians, NPs, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, social workers).

When: March 4, 2022 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Virtually via Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, UBC

Anticipated outcome: The knowledge exchange and meaningful collaboration supported through this meeting will lead to co-development of new research priorities and policy opportunities that can directly impact equitable access to contraception and abortion care in BC.

Team members: Cheryl Davies (BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, and Provincial Health Services Authority); Wendy Norman (UBC); Regina Renner (UBC); Natasha Prodan-Bhalla (Chief Nurse and Professional Practice Officer); Glenys Webster (Women’s, Maternal and Early Childhood Health); Ann Pederson (Interim Executive Director); Michelle Fortin (Options for Sexual Health); Unjali Malhotra (First Nations Health Authority); Madeleine Ennis (UBC); Ali Fuchshuber (UBC); Laura Schummers (UBC); Kate Wahl (UBC); Zeba Khan (UBC and Options for Sexual Health); Carly Rivers (Contraception and Abortion Research Team); Ama Kyeremeh (Contraception and Abortion Research Team)