Sexual and reproductive health teaching in undergraduate medical education: A narrative review

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveContraception use, undesired pregnancy, and abortion care are common medical experiences that most physicians will encounter for their patients. Future physicians should therefore have some formal education on these topics. In this narrative review, we focused on how medical education approaches these sometimes polarizing yet fundamental topics.MethodsWe assessed the published literature on sexual and reproductive health education in undergraduate medical education from 2000 to 2021, screening 868 articles and including 52 articles. We included articles that discussed contraception, emergency contraception, pregnancy options counseling, abortion, and ethics related to sexual and reproductive health.ResultsIncluded studies came from 14 countries and described both preclinical and clinical education. Studies assessed medical student knowledge, the effectiveness of educational interventions and medical school faculty perspectives on sexual and reproductive health curricula. Medical educators have employed a variety of approaches to teach sexual and reproductive health including simulation, objective structured clinical examinations, team‐based learning, narrative medicine, online modules, and flipped classrooms.ConclusionStudents generally received sexual and reproductive health education favorably, demonstrating increased knowledge and comfort with these topics after an education session. Studies also identified curricular gaps and deficiencies in student knowledge, which may indicate a need for improved and consistent medical school education on contraception and abortion.