Pharmacopeia Continuing Education Resources
The Association of Ontario Midwives has assembled a list of practical learning resources for midwives related to pharmacology. These resources have not been developed or critically appraised by the AOM. Each resource has been developed by external experts; midwives should be aware they may not be reflective of Ontario's standards of practice. Furthermore, some courses may include information about prescribing medications or performing controlled acts that are not within the Ontario midwifery scope of practice per provincial regulations. It is each midwife's responsibility to know their scope of practice and to work within it. Some midwives may also provide expanded services under medical directives in collaborative models; the learning materials listed below may address some of these expanded services but it is up to the individual to determine if additional education is required.
Some educational opportunities may be offered by pharmaceutical companies. Midwives may benefit from undertaking training with them, for example for IUD insertions. However, they should remain aware of the potential bias of corporate promoters and trainers.
Analgesics
Resource Name |
Source |
Type |
Cost |
University of British Columbia Continuing Professional Development |
eLearning |
$199 | |
Guideline for Administration of Fentanyl for Pain Relief in Labour. | Reproductive Care Program of Nova Scotia | Guideline (PDF) | Free |
Pharmacological Pain Management Options in Labour | Perinatal Services BC | Clinical care topic (webpage) | Free |
Antiemetics & proton pump inhibitors
Resource Name |
Source |
Type |
Cost |
Understanding Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum |
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia |
eLearning |
Free (free account required to access) |
Back to the Future: A Review of PPIs | Medical Academic | Webinar recording (video) | Free |
Ondansetron use during pregnancy: Utilization and adverse outcomes | Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR): Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network | Study Abstract/review (PDF) | Free - open access |
Prochlorperazine Pharmacology - RLP Podcast | Real Life Pharmacology Podcast | Podcast (audio recording) | Free |
Pharmacology - Antiemetics | Armando Hasudungan Youtube Channel | Video (15 min 52 sec) | Free |
Antimicrobials
Resource Name |
Source |
Type |
Cost |
Anti-Infectives Checklist: 5 Ds of Antimicrobial Stewardship | Vancouver Coastal Health ASPIRES | Checklist (PDF) | Free |
Wellington ICU Drug Manual, adapted by Health New Zealand |
Chart (PDF) |
Free | |
Beta-lactam antibiotic cross-allergy chart & Antibiotic cross-allergy chart | Interior Health Authority, adapted by Vancouver Coastal Health ASPIRES | Chart (PDF) | Free |
myCME Website |
eLearning videos, (time to complete 30 minutes each) Available until June 30, 2026 |
Free (free account required to access) |
|
Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI): Guides for Health Professionals | Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) | Clinical guides (webpage) | Free |
Midwifery STI Screening & Treatment Course | University of British Columbia Continuing Professional Development | eLearning (2.5 hours) | $199 |
Contraception
Resource Name |
Source |
Type |
Cost |
Contraception Care Part I (Part II is a practicum) | McMaster University, Midwifery Continuing Education |
Online course (asynchronous learning) |
$621.50 |
Midwifery Hormonal Contraception Course | University of British Columbia. Continuing Professional Development | Online course (self-paced, 8 lessons, 2.5 hours) | $249.00 |
Contraception: It’s a Plan | The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) | Online course (3 hours) | $300 (non-member); $150 (member) |
Intrauterine Contraception (IUC) Insertion Preceptorship | The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) | Online course (4 modules) with optional clinical preceptorship (subject to availability) | $500 (non-member); $250 (member) |
Extended Release Subdermal Implant: The essentials | The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) | Online course (4 hours) | $400 (non-member); $200 (member) |
LARC Insertion & Removal Video Series (LARC: Long acting reversible contraceptive. Videos include IUDs and implants) | Innovating Education in Reproductive Health | Online recorded courses (series of videos) | Free |
Contraception Booklet | The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) | Information booklet for clients and providers (PDF) | Free |
Contraception Toolkit for Pharmacists | Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPA) | Online toolkit (webpage) | Free |
Family Planning and Contraception | American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) | Resource collection (webpage) | Free |
Early pregnancy loss and abortion medication
Resource Name |
Source |
Type |
Cost |
Medication Abortion Training for Primary Care Providers | National Abortion Federation (NAF) Canada | eLearning (6 asynchronous modules, 30-60 minutes per module. One 1-hour live virtual session) | $50 (non-physician clinician); $25 (student) |
Medical Abortion Training Program 2.0 | The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) | Online course (4 hours) | $400 (non-member); $200 (member) |
Early Pregnancy Loss - Medication Management & Medication Abortion |
Innovating Education in Reproductive Health | Online recorded courses (videos) | Free |
Abortion Pill Training | Training in Early Abortion for Comprehensive Healthcare (TEACH) | Online course - video based (website; 1 hour) | Free |
Abortion Toolkit for Pharmacists | Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPA) |
Online toolkit (webpage) |
Free |
Immunization
Resource Name |
Source |
Type |
Cost |
Education Program for Immunization Competencies (EPIC) - 4th edition | Canadian Pediatric Society |
eLearning (12 online modules) |
$299 |
Midwifery Immunization Communication (available in French and English) | University of British Columbia Continuing Professional Development | eLearning (6 lessons, 1 hour) | Free |
Vaccination in Pregnancy | The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) | Online course (4 hours) | $400 (non-member); $200 (member) |
Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule and Guide | Ontario Health | Guide (PDF) | Free |
Canadian Immunization Guide | Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) | Guide (webpage) | Free |
National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI): Statements and publications | PHAC/NACI | Statements and publications (webpage) | Free |
Adverse Event Following Immunization Reporting for Health Care Providers in Ontario |
Public Health Ontario | Guide (includes Q&A, table) (PDF) | Free |
National Vaccine Catalogue | PHAC | Online catalogue (webpage) | Free |
Induction and augmentation medication
Resource Name |
Source |
Type |
Cost |
Midwifery Induction and Augmentation of Labour | University of British Columbia Continuing Professional Development | eLearning (3-4 hours) | $99 |
Induction of Labour: Putting Safety First | The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) | Online course (4 hours) | $400 (non-member); $200 (member) |
Safe Administration of Oxytocin | Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) | Guide (PDF) | Free |
Please note: course availability and pricing subject to change without notice.