We Are All in This Together: Expanding Psychiatrists’ Responsibility for Reproductive Health Post-Roe-View Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The panel discussion on reproductive health touched upon multiple facets central to contemporary practice, particularly in a post-Roe v. Wade landscape. The conversation emphasized expanding psychiatrists' roles in reproductive health, considering the specific challenges faced by individuals with mental illness, such as higher risks of unplanned pregnancies and adverse maternal outcomes. The panelists, comprising psychiatrists and an OB-GYN, discussed the contraception needs of patients, advocating for improved education and practice guidelines for contraceptive care among psychiatric professionals. They addressed issues like coercion in contraceptive practices, and the disparate access and impact on marginalized populations, including historical biases affecting reproductive care.<br /><br />A significant concern raised was the impact of restrictive abortion laws on maternal mortality, with discussion around the TurnAway Study which highlighted the adverse effects of denying abortions. The panel noted disparities in access to both abortion and contraceptive care, particularly highlighting issues faced by low-income women and Black women stemming from systemic racism and socioeconomic barriers.<br /><br />The dialogue underscored the need for psychiatrists to play a more proactive role in prescribing contraceptives and providing emergency contraceptive care, with an emphasis on creating an educational framework in psychiatric residencies to address these skills. Advocacy for policy reform and the need for professional guidelines from organizations like the APA were highlighted as essential in supporting psychiatrists' involvement in this vital aspect of healthcare. The panelists urged for a comprehensive, inclusive, and patient-centered approach to reproductive health that respects patient autonomy and addresses structural inequities.

Keywords

reproductive health

post-Roe v. Wade

psychiatrists' roles

mental illness

unplanned pregnancies

contraceptive care

marginalized populations

restrictive abortion laws

TurnAway Study

systemic racism

psychiatric residencies

policy reform

patient autonomy