edge runner award recipient

Did you know that in 2022, the Marquette Method of NFP was one of the Edge Runner Models selected for recognition by the American Academy of Nursing (AAN)?

That probably doesn't mean much to you, but let me explain.

According to the AAN, the Edge Runners initiative recognizes nurse-designed models of care that reduce cost and improve health care quality. The goal is to promote models of healthcare that have positive outcomes and whose results are sustained and replicated.

The Marquette Method was recognized by the AAN for it's ease of use, wide range of applicability, and effectiveness. According to the AAN, older methods of NFP "were often not effective in helping women avoid pregnancy, are cumbersome to use, and not easy to provide. Furthermore, they were not effective in helping women avoid pregnancy during the postpartum transition to fertility or the transition to menopause."

The Marquette Method has tackled these criticisms of older methods head-on for the past 20 years. Dr. Fehring decided to incorporate a fertility monitor that measures the changing estrogen and LH during a woman's cycle. This approach is more direct and accurate than measuring other indicators of fertility such as mucus or basal body temps, which can be imprecise. The result is a method of NFP that is effective, easy to teach, easy to use, and can be used in every stage of life for women.

Several effectiveness studies have been published on the method, as well as satisfaction results from the users. The Marquette Method also has the only randomized comparison effectiveness studies of NFP methods since the 1980s. The Marquette Method puts a lot of focus on research to make sure the method remains effective for women.

The Marquette Method has been able to greatly help women in special circumstances, especially breastfeeding women. Older methods of NFP have really lacked in developing quality protocols for postpartum, perimenopausal, and other unique situations. The Marquette Method has developed actually effective protocols for these situations. According to the AAN, "Other major providers of NFP/FABM (e.g., the Couple-to-Couple League International) often refer their postpartum women/couples to a MM provider."

A more thorough discussion of the effectiveness and innovation of the postpartum protocols is needed, so stay tuned for a future post about that.

I certainly think the Marquette Method was deserving to be selected for recognition, and I hope you can see it, too.