Digital Training Approaches for Family Planning Providers: Emerging Evidence and Resources

As new and lesser-used contraceptives– including the hormonal IUD – are introduced in more countries, innovative approaches to train family planning (FP) providers can help expand access and choice. Digital trainings, which are considered part of the High Impact Practice for digital health, can improve provider knowledge and skills and may offer cost-efficient opportunities to ensure providers are well-prepared to counsel and offer FP methods, even when in-person gatherings are restricted such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 2 June 2022, representatives from USAID, FHI 360, Society for Family Health, PSI, and Jhpeigo, as well as hormonal IUD manufacturers Bayer and Medicines360, gathered to present emerging evidence supporting the potential use of digital training for FP providers and to give an overview of globally-available online training resources. The event included results from a recent study evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of a hybrid approach to train providers on the hormonal…