Recap of AMSA’s Repro Health Project Engagement at
The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Conference on Medical Student Education
Written by Anna Hindman, AMSA Reproductive Health Project Fellow and 4th year medical student at Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Last weekend, our AMSA Reproductive Health Project presented and exhibited our project at the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Conference on Medical Student Education in Atlanta, GA. It was amazing to come together with providers, educators and students from around the country. As a future family medicine physician myself, it is always inspiring to connect with and learn from people who prioritize advocating for access to care and addressing barriers that are in place to this care.
As we talked with providers and educators, especially in states with abortion restrictions or complete bans, I had an eye opening experience about the true reality of what is happening on the ground across our nation. I have been very fortunate that all of my medical training has been in California. Even though I regularly talk with folks about policies in other states, and the impacts of those policies on medical education and clinical care, it is sometimes hard to believe the true reality of these politically motivated policies and regulations.
To hear directly from faculty that they are not even able to say words like
“abortion,” “Structural Determinants of Health,” or “anti-racism,”
let alone even addressing their impacts on health and wellbeing, is terrifying.
Medical education was nowhere near perfect to begin with, but seeing how politics is able to further control and restrict evidence based medicine is just wrong and is already having terrible consequences for learners and patients. Being witness to this further reinforces the importance of us coming together as a national medical community, especially for those of us in states where we have more autonomy to do so, alongside our allies, and call out these atrocious policies that are affecting care.
I am truly inspired by all the educators and students we met with who are really trying to teach and learn evidence-based medicine, despite the significant barriers they face. We emphasized how our project is always here to help where we can. We have a strong focus on coming together as a community to build power, advocate collectively and to just have a safe space together to vent about what is happening.
During the conference, we provided resources to folks that are useful for students who are looking for additional support and education they might not be able to get directly from their school, or may be looking for a deeper dive. Below are a few of those online resources. Again, we would love to hear from you, so please reach out to us at rhp@amsa.org.
Resources:
-
- AMSA Teach-Ins for Reproductive Justice – apply here
- AMSA-UM (Virtual) Elective in Abortion Care, Family Planning, and Reproductive Justice for Medical Students – apply here
- Essential advocacy tools from AMSA Health Policy – link Learn if your U.S. Senators co-sponsored reproductive health bills in 2021-2022 – link
- Innovating Education in Reproductive Health: A project of the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health. Click here for more info
- Medical Students for Choice: Externship for clinical training opportunities for medical students and residents – link
- Midwest Access Project: Clinical training opportunities for medical students and residents – link
Photos from The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Conference (STFM)
Showcasing our project on AMSA Reproductive Justice Elective, Family Planning and Abortion Care
View our poster here
From left to right, Anna Hindman OMSIV, AMSA Reproductive Health Project Fellow,
Dr. Aliye Runyan MD, AMSA Reproductive Health Strategist
Dr. Avanthi Jayaweera MD, AMSA Graduate Trustee
Highlighting AMSA-RHP as a Conference Partner at STFM-MSE
Anna Hindman OMSIV, AMSA Reproductive Health Project Fellow
Dr. Avanthi Jayaweera MD, AMSA Graduate Trustee
At our exhibit booth
Anna Hindman OMSIV, AMSA Reproductive Health Project Fellow
Dr. Avanthi Jayaweera MD, AMSA Graduate Trustee
Presenting on our Project titled
Liberatory Medical Education Through the AMSA Reproductive Health Project
View our presentation here
Dr. Aliye Runyan MD, AMSA Reproductive Health Strategist
Dr. Avanthi Jayaweera MD, AMSA Graduate Trustee
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