Termination of pregnancy: Lifting the veil on medical and surgical abortion management and referral

This in-person event aims to educate and provide support to GPs, nurse practitioners, midwives, practice nurses and pharmacists currently providing, or wishing to provide, abortion information, counselling, referral and care to patients.

Experienced clinicians will provide information on approaches to supporting people with unwanted or unplanned pregnancy, medical and surgical abortion options at different gestations, clinical guidelines, case studies, respond to issues raised by participants, as well as resources and supports for health professionals and patients. 

This event will provide opportunity for clinicians working in primary care to have open discussions with other health practitioners in a safe and supportive space, about how to support, refer and manage people with unwanted or unplanned pregnancy. 

It is hosted by the Royal Women’s Hospital, and will be facilitated by Associate Professor Ines Rio (an experienced GP and MS-2 Step prescriber), Dr Benjamin Rutten (Senior Registrar in the Women’s Abortion and Contraception Service) and Carolyn Mogharbel (Manager, 1800 My Options). 

Topics covered include:

• options and access to medical and surgical abortion at different gestations
• how to support a pregnant person considering abortion
• clinical guidelines on abortion care
• medical abortion in primary care settings, decision making, prescribing, contraindications and what to do if complications arise
• ethico-legal considerations in the primary care setting.

The event will be interactive with case studies and opportunities for questions and discussions spanning the clinical, practical and ethico-legal aspects of abortion. We will also provide resources to support clinicians transitioning to becoming an MS-2 step provider or abortion referrer.  

Light refreshment will be provided from 5.45pm

Education session will begin at 6.00pm

Event Location: The Women’s Conference Room A: Ground Floor Executive Area, The Royal Women’s Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville.

Speakers

A/Prof Ines Rio, Head, GP Liaison Unit - The Royal Women's Hospital

Associate Professor Ines Rio is a general practitioner with extensive experience in many facets of health care. These include governance, strategic planning, thought leadership, education, sector planning, development and management, clinical leadership, public health, medical law and direct clinical care. She is also Chair of NWMPHN’s board of director.

Ines is committed to quality, effective, efficient, equitable and integrated health care services and the central importance and role of general practice and primary care in this provision.

Dr Benjamin Rutten, Senior Registrar, Abortion and Contraception Service - The Royal Women's Hospital

Dr Ben Rutten is the Senior Registrar for the Abortion & Contraception Service at the Royal Women’s Hospital, and a RANZCOG Advanced Trainee. Ben graduated from Monash University in 2015 and in addition to training at The Royal Women’s Hospital, he has worked throughout rural and regional Victoria. Ben has interests in sexual and reproductive healthcare and clinical ultrasound, and is passionate about improving access to contraception, abortion and early pregnancy care, particularly for those in rural and regional areas. 

Carolyn Mogharbel, Manager, 1800 My Options - 1800 My Options

Carolyn Mogharbel (she/her) joined Women’s Health Victoria in 2018 during the establishment of the 1800 My Options service, and brings over 15 years of health promotion and service delivery experience, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health. She is committed to access and equity in health services and reducing stigma in the health system, and to centring the experiences of all women in health system development, delivery and evaluation.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Explain options for people with unwanted or unplanned pregnancy, including medical and surgical abortion, and referral and support options and pathways
• Describe how to undertake medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) in primary care in line with clinical guidelines and including counselling, contraindications, side effects and potential complications
• Demonstrate where to go for more information on abortion, service options, clinical guidelines, and support as a MTOP provider or abortion referrer