Carolyn Westhoff, MD, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Background: Current approaches to pain management are inadequate for both aspiration and medication abortion. Our recent placebo controlled trial found that an easily taught auricular acupuncture protocol led to much lower maximum pain during aspiration abortion compared to usual care (median scores 39.5 versus 71 on a 100-point Visual Analog Scale). The intervention also substantially ...Read more >

Courtney Schreiber, MD, MPH, University of Pennsylvania

Background: There is global consensus that there is benefit to providing Rh immune globulin in the third trimester to prevent immune sensitization and consequent pregnancy complications, however, evidence to guide management of Rh-negative women in the first trimester bleeding is lacking. Our preliminary data indicate that women undergoing abortion in the first trimester are exposed ...Read more >

Eleanor Schwarz, MD, MS, University of California, Davis

Background: This project will build upon existing training resources to develop and pilot a free, online, training resource titled “Medication Abortion in Primary Care.” This training will be designed to meet the needs of general Internists, and other primary care providers who may not be comfortable performing intrauterine procedures. By providing clinicians a continuing medical ...Read more >