Moving the ACR's Reproductive Health Guidelines Into Practice: A Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of a Novel...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Reproductive Health
• Medical Education

Background:

• Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) utilizes teleconferences to connect experts with community providers.
• A pilot reproductive rheumatology ECHO (ReproRheum ECHO) was developed to enhance rheumatologists' knowledge and self-efficacy in reproductive health care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and impact of the ReproRheum ECHO program.
• To improve rheumatologists' knowledge and self-efficacy in providing reproductive health care to patients with rheumatic diseases.

Main Methods:

• The ReproRheum ECHO curriculum was guided by Project ECHO principles.
• Assessments included pre/post surveys and interviews to evaluate knowledge, self-efficacy, and program feedback.
• Six 1-hour teleconference sessions were conducted with rheumatology providers and experts.

Main Results:

• Eight rheumatology providers participated in the pilot program.
• Significant increases in knowledge regarding birth defect rates and provider self-efficacy were observed.
• Participants reported increased confidence in managing contraception and medication during pregnancy and improved comfort discussing reproductive health.

Conclusions:

• The pilot ReproRheum ECHO program was feasible and effective.
• The program successfully improved rheumatologists' knowledge and self-efficacy in reproductive health.
• This ECHO model shows promise for advancing reproductive health care for women with rheumatic diseases.