Training to fit intrauterine devices/intrauterine systems for general practitioners: is there an alternative method of service delivery?

Background And Methodology: This paper questions the traditional method of obtaining intrauterine device (IUD) and intrauterine system (IUS) training, by highlighting the pitfalls of this training, and introduces community IUD/IUS training, a new model offering significant advantages.

Discussion And Conclusions: Traditional IUD/IUS training is not optimal for a variety of reasons including scarcity of designated IUD/IUS clinics, long distances for travel to be trained, wasted clinic appointments, a tendency towards difficult IUD/IUS fitting in these specialist clinics, and a lack of suitable doctors as IUD/IUS trainers. Community IUD/IUS training enables the trainee to be involved in patient selection, setting up an IUD/IUS clinic (probably for their own future use) and following up their own patients. Community IUD/IUS fitting has definite advantages and much to commend it.