Work-arounds at faith-based obstetrics and gynecology residency programs to accomplish family planning training

Abstract

Objective: To explore work-arounds at faith-based obstetrics and gynecology residency programs to accomplish family planning training.

Study design: We invited educational stakeholders to participate in telephone interviews that elicited strategies for overcoming barriers to family planning training in religious settings.

Results: Eighteen out of 30 invited programs leaders participated. Work-arounds included reliance on non-contraceptive indications for contraception and permanent contraception provision, obtaining ethics committee approvals for service provision, and developing partnerships with offsite centers for training.

Conclusion: Ob-gyn residency programs affiliated with religious hospitals utilize various work-arounds for family planning training and patient care. These findings may inform other programs that face similar barriers, secondary to institutional or governmental restrictions.

Keywords: Abortion; Catholic; Faith-based; Family planning; Obstetrics and gynecology residency; Work-arounds.