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Contraception for All: Improving Access and Equity for Vulnerable Groups in Primary Care

WednesdayJuly 1st11:30 - 12:30231 / 232 M

Sofia BENTO, Catarina MIRANDA-LOURENÇO and Carolina SILVA

Across Europe, inequities in contraception access persist, particularly among vulnerable groups who face medical, socioeconomical and cultural barriers. Family doctors are uniquely positioned to bridge these gaps by providing patient-centred, non-judgmental, and inclusive contraceptive care. This workshop offers participants the opportunity to engage with real-life challenges and explore practical strategies for improving contraceptive counselling for vulnerable populations.Identify key barriers to contraceptive access among vulnerable groups, including adolescents, migrants and refugees, people experiencing homelessness, LGBTQIA+ community, and women with chronic illness or disability.  Apply communication tools and culturally sensitive counselling approaches to tailor contraceptive discussions to individual needs.  Develop practical, context-appropriate interventions to support equitable contraceptive access in their own clinical settings.  Reflect on the role of the family doctor in advancing reproductive justice and reducing health inequities.The workshop will use interactive, participant-centred pedagogic methods, including:  1. A short introductory presentation summarising evidence on contraceptive inequities in Europe and possible strategies to overcome it.  2. Small-working-groups focused on specific vulnerable groups.  3. Case-based discussions with clinical scenarios highlighting common dilemmas.  4. Facilitated group reflection and plenary feedback to consolidate learning.    Workshop schedule (60 minutes):  1. Welcome and introduction (10 minutes)  Overview of contraceptive inequities in Europe and possible strategies to overcome it;  Workshop objectives and structure;  Division in small-working-groups.  2. Small-working-groups and case discussion (25 minutes)  Discuss barriers specific to a vulnerable group;  Work through a brief case scenario;  Identify strategies for improving access and counselling.  3. Plenary sharing (15 minutes)  Each group presents key insights and proposed strategies (2-3 minutes per group);  Moderators highlight common themes and innovative approaches.  4. Conclusion (10 minutes)  Take-home messages and practical tips for clinical practice;  Q&A.Participants will leave the session with:  Improved understanding of the diverse contraception needs of vulnerable groups. Practical counselling tools and adaptable strategies to support person-centred contraceptive decision-making.  Increased confidence in addressing sensitives issues and overcoming structural barriers.  Actionable ideas for enhancing contraceptive access.This workshop empowers participants to deliver equitable, respectful, and context-aware contraceptive care. Participants will gain the skills and insight needed to reduce disparities, strengthen patient autonomy, and promote reproductive health for vulnerable populations.