Introduction

Illinois residency programs surveyed.  In Dec 2014 a questionnaire was sent via survey monkey to family medicine program directors (or their assistants) in IL.  As of mid January there were 15 responses.

Residents have few opportunities to learn to perform vasectomies.  While 60% of responding programs stated that their residents had the opportunity to observe vasectomies, only 20% had the opportunity to perform vasectomies.  More importantly, of the respondents there were no faculty who performed vasectomies.  Over 70 % of both residents and faculty expressed some interest in obtaining training in providing vasectomy services.  Of the training that did occur, 60 % was in a private urologists office and only 20% occurred in their continuity clinics. 

Increased access to vasectomy services is needed!  The lack of access to vasectomy services is the number one reason men don’t seek a vasectomy according to a literature review.  The goal of this curriculum is to increase the awareness of the family medicine physician to vasectomy services and a family planning option.  This includes not only educating and counseling regarding a vasectomy, but also the provision of these services in the primary care setting.

How this on-line program will fill that need.  The literature review will provide the learner the evidence of why this training and provision of service is needed.  The modules/sections are designed to methodically guide the learner.  By beginning with anatomy and physiology the learner will have a better understanding of how a vasectomy works.  By then presenting the specialized equipment the learner will visualize and learn step by step and then will be able to incorporate all of this into their own practice. 

The learner is also provided links to existing websites and curricula, along with examples of helpful forms that they can use to start or enhance their  ‘no scalpel vasectomy program.