Enablers of and Barriers to Abortion Training

Abstract

Background Since the legalization of abortion services in the United States, provision of abortions has remained a controversial issue of high political interest. Routine abortion training is not offered at all obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn) training programs, despite a specific training requirement by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Previous studies that described Ob-Gyn programs with routine abortion training either examined associations by using national surveys of program directors or described the experience of a single program. Objective We set out to identify enablers of and barriers to Ob-Gyn abortion training in the context of a New York City political initiative, in order to better understand how to improve abortion training at other sites. Methods We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 22 stakeholders from 7 New York City public hospitals and focus group interviews with 62 current residents at 6 sites. Results Enablers of abortion training included program location, high-capacity services, faculty commitment to abortion training, external programmatic support, and resident interest. Barriers to abortion training included lack of leadership continuity, leadership conflict, lack of second-trimester abortion services, difficulty obtaining mifepristone, optional rather than routine training, and antiabortion values of hospital personnel. Conclusions Supportive leadership, faculty commitment, and external programmatic support appear to be key elements for establishing routine abortion training at Ob-Gyn residency training programs.

Training at a Faith-Based Institution Matters for Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents: Results From a Regional Survey

“…9 We found no reports in the literature of residents' perception of family planning training, particularly at faithbased programs and whether this affects their future intentions to provide such care. We hypothesized that midwestern Ob-Gyn residents at faith-based and non-faithbased training programs will differ in their perceived ability to perform family planning procedures and their plans to provide family planning procedures after graduation.…”

Short-Term Treatment of Bothersome Bleeding for Etonogestrel Implant Users Using a 14-Day Oral Contraceptive Pill Regimen

“…Mifepristone is difficult and expensive to obtain in the United States as a result of prescribing restrictions and is only available as a 200-mg formulation, the dose for medication abortion. 15 We used an inexpensive, widely available medication that resulted in shortened time to interruption of bleeding and temporary interruption during a longer treatment course.…”

Towards comprehensive early abortion service delivery in high income countries: insights for improving universal access to abortion in Australia

“…In Australia, despite the availability of training for GPs to provide MTOP in their own practices, the uptake of this training and translation into service delivery appears to be relatively low [ 83 ]. In the US leadership, the commitment of medical faculties, and the support of professional bodies have been cited as essential components of routine abortion training to increase service provision [ 84 ]. This highlights the leadership role of Australian medical, nursing, midwifery and pharmacy faculties and associated professional associations in undertaking to increase provision in public facilities.…”