How FSRH resources can help you during your foundation training year in GP practice
Date: 24 Jul 2023
Author: Lucie Lorencova
If you are completing your foundation training year in GP practice, you will probably come across many patients on hormonal contraception. In this blog, I share with you how I used FSRH resources last year when working as a trainee pharmacist in GP practice. Using these resources can help you meet some of the learning outcomes, have some competencies covered, and provide high-quality care to patients requiring hormonal contraception.
When to use FSRH guidelines?
In the GP practice, I mainly used FSRH resources to deal with queries (under supervision) regarding hormonal contraception. You can use FSRH resources when dealing with queries about sexual and reproductive health.
Three common scenarios you may encounter in the GP practice and how I used FSRH guidelines to deal with them:
1) What is the appropriate duration of prescription for hormonal contraception?
I remember prescribing hormonal contraception (under supervision) and not knowing what to put in the quantity column.
In the end, I prescribed an appropriate amount with the help of FSRH guidance:
Combined hormonal contraception
2) What are the contraceptive choices for young people?
The FSRH produced a guideline on this topic. According to FSRH, 'The guidance is most relevant to young people under 18 years of age but may also apply to young people up to the age of 25 years.'
Some examples of what you can find in the guideline:
- Addressing young people’s concerns and risks
- Legal and ethical framework
- Contraceptive options for young people
This guideline is also helpful when working in a community pharmacy. In the pharmacy, young girls often seek advice about hormonal contraception, so it is useful to be familiar with this guideline.
3) Do women on hormonal contraception need to be monitored? What follow-up arrangements are appropriate?
You can find answers in the guidelines below.
For combined hormonal contraception
For progestogen-only contraception
FSRH also offers many other resources that may help you through your training year and career. For example, clinical standards, statements about new contraceptive options, and more. Check out all the resources on the FSRH website.