The Importance of Including Abortion in Undergraduate Medical Education

Steinauer, Jody; DePiñeres, Teresa

doi:10.1017/9781108884709.016

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 63 publications

(38 reference statements)

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“…Interviewees provided useful information on why good quality abortion teaching is important and how content can be engaging. However, a number of global studies have outlined key barriers to providing comprehensive abortion teaching, including a lack of curriculum time, minimal clinical learning opportunities and a lack of appropriately trained educators with the will to teach 12 14…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The RCOG specifies that, when students qualify, they should know about abortion methods, indications, contraindications/complications, be able to take a history related to unplanned pregnancy and be competent to provide emergency care 2. Furthermore, global evidence demonstrates that comprehensive undergraduate abortion education improves access to safe abortion care and decreases morbidity and mortality related to unsafe abortion 14. This should be sufficient impetus for undergraduate curriculum leads to overcome the well documented barriers and find the necessary time and resources to provide students with the good quality education on abortion they want and deserve.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A qualitative analysis of medical students’ attitudes to abortion education in UK medical schools

Horan

Zadeh

Rennison

et al. 2022

BMJ Sex Reprod Health

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BackgroundDespite abortion being a common part of reproductive healthcare, UK undergraduate medical school abortion education varies widely. We therefore aimed to explore medical students’ views on their undergraduate abortion education, including whether it prepared them to be a competent practitioner.MethodsWe conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 19 students from five UK medical schools, all of whom had received abortion teaching. The qualitative research followed a quantitative survey of UK undergraduate abortion education; the five medical schools were purposively sampled to encompass a wide variety of teaching approaches. Interviews were transcribed and data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.ResultsDedicated abortion teaching was highlighted as necessary and valuable, as abortion care is so commonly accessed. Participants felt that abortion education should prepare students to be competent practitioners, with inclusion of clinical placements and an emphasis on non-stigmatising care. Most interviewees felt that the perceived sensitive nature of abortion should act as an incentive to comprehensive teaching. It was suggested that teaching should be inclusive for all, including those with a conscientious objection to abortion.ConclusionThe medical students interviewed viewed comprehensive abortion education as an important aspect of their undergraduate curriculum. Conversely to the accompanying quantitative survey of educators, participants believed that the perceived sensitivity of abortion increases the importance of effective teaching that prepares them to provide competent respectful care when they qualify. It is incumbent on medical schools to provide the comprehensive education that students need and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%