Ling Protocol #6: Reproductive health for adolescents with rheumatic diseases taking teratogenic medications

Ling Protocol #6: Reproductive health for adolescents with rheumatic diseases taking teratogenic medications

by Nicole Ling -

I watched the old lecture and read the required reading article, but I'm still not sure if I'm on track here with answering these questions.  Here's my attempt, definitely open to feedback or can revise if I've missed the content of course material:

  • What level of government did you target to translate your research into policy and why did this make the most sense? I have not yet targeted a level of government to translate my research, as my project is a gap analysis looking at facilitators and barriers to the provision of reproductive healthcare for female adolescents with rheumatic diseases taking teratogenic medications.  Effective solutions to this problem have not yet been described or tested.
  • What level of government makes the most sense for you to translate your research into policy and why?  Same as above - and the article and lecture didn't really go through different levels of government (perhaps I am missing something?)
  • What strategies did you use to reach policymakers? I have not yet done this, but based on strategies highlighted in the reading, in thinking about future dissemination:
    • Data for policymaking must be locally relevant (My study is limited to healthcare providers (pediatric rheumatologists and PCPs) in Northern California) - I don't know what voting districts or precinct levels, though. 
    • Develop a short policy summary, include narrative storytelling
    • Actively lobby on behalf of particular issue (prioritize and reimburse provision of reproductive healthcare for female patients with rheumatic conditions (or all conditions) taking teratogenic medications.
  • What steps are available to you to reach policymakers?
    • Educate legislative staff members on public health issues (they are the gatekeepers)
    • Cultivate a political champion

Re: Ling Protocol #6: Reproductive health for adolescents with rheumatic diseases taking teratogenic medications

by Nicole Ling -

After being in class, I think that the level of government to target (when the time comes) would likely be at the state level, as the scope of practice between types of physicians has to do with hospital privileges and credentialing.  Also, a large majority of our patients have insurance through California Children's Services (CCS) so lobbying for reimbursement for reproductive health care and prescriptions as part of "rheumatologic" subspecialty care is something important to look into.

Re: Ling Protocol #6: Reproductive health for adolescents with rheumatic diseases taking teratogenic medications

by Heidi Moseson -

Hi Nicole,

I agree - sometimes its hard to think about which level of government, if any, makes sense for all projects. I would imagine that making a case for why these types of services should be reimbursed - perhaps starting with Medicaid for low-income women? Might be a good starting point. Also, collecting data on how many women are effected, costs of not addressing this to society by district, versus costs saved by addressing etc, all of this might be compelling information for local level legislators or representatives.

Re: Ling Protocol #6: Reproductive health for adolescents with rheumatic diseases taking teratogenic medications

by Brian -

agree that state government seems most applicable to how one might envision implementing your intervention once the gap analysis is completed- additional reasons to involve state- one could envision creation of a registry of adolescent patients with lupus on teratogenic meds that might be created to help keep physicians keep track of these patients... also think state policy makers might be involved in decisions regarding funding for reproductive healthcare services/medications and another reasons to target this level of government. 

Re: Ling Protocol #6: Reproductive health for adolescents with rheumatic diseases taking teratogenic medications

by Lisa Thompson -

Policy change examples (admittedly way on down the road beyond your project, but something to explore) might be commenting on policies related to drug labels during public comment periods.

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/LawsActsandRules/ucm084159.htm