Research priorities for improving access to quality contraceptive implant removal services.

In late 2015 the Implant Removal Task Force was initiated to bring together implementing partners and donors to identify existing best practices and call attention to research and programming gaps for expanding access to quality contraceptive implant removal services. Among the task force’s activities is an effort to prioritize research and learning gaps that if filled would contribute to greater access to removal and subsequently improved programming of contraceptive implant services overall. This learning agenda is designed for use by researchers implementing partners and governments with the opportunity to contribute to learnings in this field. The questions listed herein could be included as the central focus for research or incorporated into broader research and programming. Although standalone studies on implant removal may not be feasible for the majority of partners we encourage researchers and partners to look carefully at studies currently underway and identify opportunities to generate evidence on this important topic within their activities. Given the evolving landscape of implant removal this document is nimble and may be updated to respond to additional learning gaps as they emerge and likewise to “graduate” some gaps as evidence is generated. Of note although data on the reasons for implant removal and discontinuation is important it is not included in this research agenda given it is already a well-established research topic. Instead our learning gaps focus on availability of removal services. (Excerpt)