Migration from countries where female genital cutting (FGC) is practiced means women's healthcare providers need to meet this population's unique healthcare needs. We explored providers' FGC-related experience, knowledge of the cultural practice, prior training, attitudes towards medicalization, including reinfibulation, and clinical practice. An online, 53-question survey to a multidisciplinary sample of women's health providers in the US were recruited by email via professional organizations, medical departments, and the authors' professional networks. From a total of 508 usable surveys, nearly half of respondents did not receive formal FGC training, but a majority had cared for FGC-affected women in their practice. A 'know-do' gap existed with managing infibulated patients; and surgical defibulation procedures were not routinely offered. Most respondents (79%, n = 402) reported a desire for additional education. Women's healthcare providers in the US, regardless of disciplinary backgrounds, are inadequately prepared to meet the needs of FGC-affected women. To address these, FGC content needs to be embedded in educational and training curricula, and ongoing clinical mentorship made available.
Keywords: Defibulation; Female genital cutting; Healthcare professional training; Medicalization; Reinfibulation.