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For decades, physicians have advocated for and provided access to abortion in the United States, both prior to and after the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, the need for knowledgeable and effectively trained advocates is more critical than ever. In a new study in Health Promotion Practice, Professor Diana Romero and Associate Professor Heidi Jones led a mixed-methods evaluation of a physician advocacy training program. As part of this evaluation, Associate Professor Meredith Manze and colleagues sought the perspectives of select stakeholders by way of key informant interviews.

The researchers interviewed 15 sexual and reproductive health providers with expertise in organizational policy and advocacy, clinical leadership and education, media and reproductive justice. The analytic team conducted a thematic analysis, organizing findings within key informant perspectives on the role of physician in the field of abortion and contraception; successes, failures and needs in abortion and contraception advocacy; and recommendations on the composition and components of an ideal clinician advocacy training program.

Key informants relayed that skill building related to communication, developing relationships with change-makers, and understanding was critical for effective advocacy. They felt clinician advocacy training programs should include providers other than and be designed for trainees to build relationships with one another over time.

"As are increasingly restricted in the United States, designing effective advocacy programs is essential to ensuring access," said Manze. "The perspectives of these key informants can help inform advocacy training program curricula and offer strategic approaches to increasing equitable and widespread access to sexual and reproductive health services."

More information: Meredith Manze et al, Sexual and Reproductive Health Advocacy Successes, Failures, and Needs in the United States: Perspectives From Key Stakeholders, Health Promotion Practice (2022). DOI: 10.1177/15248399221137053