Implications of Overturning Roe v Wade on Abortion Training in US Family Medicine Residency Programs

Ann Fam Med. 2023 Nov-Dec;21(6):545-548. doi: 10.1370/afm.3042.

Abstract

In June 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, opening the door to state-level abortion bans. By August 2023, 17 states banned abortion or instituted early gestational age bans. We performed an analysis to assess the proportion of accredited US family medicine residency programs and trainees in states with abortion restrictions. Twenty-nine percent of family medicine residency programs (n = 201) and residents (n = 3,930) are in states with bans or very restrictive policies. Family medicine residency programs must optimize training and exposure to abortion within their contexts, so graduates are able to care for patients seeking abortions or needing follow-up care.

Keywords: abortion; family medicine; residency.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced*
  • Family Practice
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inservice Training
  • Internship and Residency*
  • Pregnancy
  • United States