AusCAPPS Network, a free online community of practice focusing on improving women’s access to contraception and medical abortion in Australia

Approximately one-quarter of women in Australia have experienced an unintended pregnancy, with one-third of these ending in an abortion (1). Access to effective methods of contraception can contribute to the prevention of pregnancies, but only around 11% of women are using long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) in Australia (2). Many women experience considerable barriers when accessing contraception and abortion care (3, 4).

Primary care providers play a critical role in providing contraception services and supporting pregnancy options, but the number of LARC and emergency medical abortion (EMA) providers remains low, particularly in remote and rural areas. Due to a lack of training opportunities, appropriate remuneration, access to peer and expert support, and referral pathways, many women are required to seek care outside their local area, which can pose significant financial and logistical challenges and potentially causing delays to appropriate care.

The Australian Contraception and Abortion Primary Care Practitioner Support (AusCAPPS) Network is a national and secure online community designed to support general practitioners, nurses and pharmacists in providing LARC and EMA. The network provides

• The opportunity to ask questions to peers and expert clinicians
• Connection to a database of general practitioners, nurses and pharmacists who provide LARC and EMA services in primary care
• Access to LARC and EMA training and education opportunities
• Access to clinical resources and guidelines
• Evidence-based research and updates related to LARC and EMA
• Access to webinars and podcasts about LARC and EMA care

Join the network today or email auscapps.trial@monash.edu for more information.

References

1. Taft AJ, Shankar M, Black KI, et al. Unintended and unwanted pregnancy in Australia: a cross-sectional, national random telephone survey of prevalence and outcomes. The Medical Journal of Australia 2018;209(9):407-08. doi: 10.5694/mja17.01094
2. Sundaram A, Vaughan B, Kost K, et al. Contraceptive Failure in the United States: Estimates from the 2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 2017;49(1):7-16. doi: 10.1363/psrh.12017 [published Online First: 2017/03/01]
3. Grzeskowiak LE, Calabretto H, Amos N, et al. Changes in use of hormonal long-acting reversible contraceptive methods in Australia between 2006 and 2018: A population-based study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2021;61(1):128-34. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13257
4. Munro S, Guilbert E, Wagner M-S, et al. Perspectives Among Canadian Physicians on Factors Influencing Implementation of Mifepristone Medical Abortion: A National Qualitative Study. Annals of family medicine 2020;18(5):413-21.