Access to abortion training

Abstract

The changing political landscape has had a significant impact on abortion training in the United States. Access to training in medical and surgical abortion has been improving over the past several decades, though significant barriers exist in training providers adequately. We sought to evaluate access to abortion training to providers, including obstetrician-gynecologists, family practice physicians, and advanced practice providers. Training in contraception, miscarriage management, medication abortion and surgical abortion procedures is a requirement for Obstetrics and Gynecology residents. Limited information exists about the details of residency training, though larger percentages of graduating residents are reporting access to comprehensive family planning training. Initiatives by groups such as Medical Students for Choice and the Kenneth J. Ryan Program have greatly improved access to abortion training by increasing opportunities for resident involvement. Abortion training opportunities exist for Family Medicine residents and advanced practice clinicians, though this training is not mandated and as such, often not standardized. In light of increasingly restrictive legislation and decreasing numbers of abortion providers, concerns exist about the sustainability of abortion training access. Other noteworthy barriers to provider training include hospital policy, lack of expert faculty, and state laws. Ensuring integrated evidence-based and standardized abortion training is important in maintaining access to a full range of family planning services.

Keywords: Abortion; Fellowship; Residency; Ttraining.