Objective To determine obstetrics and gynaecology trainees' understanding of intrauterine device/system (IUD/IUS) insertion.

Methods A questionnaire-based survey of obstetrics and gynaecology trainees in the West Midlands region of the UK.

Results Forty-five trainees completed a questionnaire on this topic. High scores were obtained in questions relating to the medical and drug interactions of IUD/IUSs. However, trainees' knowledge of the technicalities of fitting and patient selection was poor. Some 49% of respondents stated that an IUS was effective as emergency contraception and 47% felt that an IUD/IUS was contraindicated in HIV-positive patients. No significant difference was seen between the number of correct answers given by pre- and post-MRCOG trainees for any of the questions. The number of insertions per year was unrelated to knowledge levels.

Conclusions Obstetrics and gynaecology trainees regularly insert IUD/IUSs, and although their medical knowledge is on the whole very good, many doctors are not aware of best practice advice, in particular regarding the use of the IUS as emergency contraception. Training on contraception and sexual health needs to be incorporated into career obstetrician/gynaecologists' teaching programmes in order to improve their understanding and practice in this area.