Abortion Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions of Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents at Four Midwestern Residency Programs

Abstract

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade. Half of states now face proposed or in-effect abortion bans, which affect the ability of obstetrics and gynecology (ObGyn) residency programs to provide abortion training. Prior to the Supreme Court decision, we surveyed ObGyn residents at all four programs in Wisconsin and Minnesota to assess residents' attitudes toward abortion, desire to learn about abortion, and intentions about providing abortion care in their future practice. We found that participants overwhelmingly support abortion, find the issue to be important, and plan to incorporate abortion into future practice. The reversal of Roe v Wade and its impact on access to abortion training may have implications for ObGyn residency recruitment and training, related career decision-making, and future workforce.

“We had to put ourselves in their shoes”: Experiences of Medical Students and ObGyn Residents with a Values Clarification Workshop on Abortion

“…For residents, due to overall higher attitude scores and smaller sample size 14 , we stratified based on whether their attitude scores were above or below the median score, within institutions. Due to the limited sample size, we emailed all residents inviting them to be interviewed.…”

“…(M1-06) Importance of abortion education in education T3. 14 "By bringing up abortion… as a regular part of ObGyn care that can be offered to a patient… hearing your good role models talk about abortion care being part of medical care, even if you end and professional development up going into like pathology or neurosurgery. Hopefully that influences their [medical students'] opinion of abortion… from being… 'dirty shady doctors doing abortions' to the people who deliver your babies, who you really like, also doing abortions.…”