Abortion Training in U.S. Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Programs

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires ob-gyn programs include “access to experience with induced abortion.” Yet in 2004 when last studied, only 51% included routine abortion training. METHODS: Directors of 240 ob-gyn residency programs were invited to complete an online survey. Training was considered routine when the director reported abortion training was included in a rotation dedicated to family planning and/or dedicated time for abortion training. We assessed program directors' reports of resident experience by training type using χ2, t tests, and logistic regression. RESULTS: One hundred ninety (79%) directors responded. Sixty-one percent reported that training was routine, 32% said it was available or optional for residents, and 7% said it was not available. Routine training, compared with optional training, was correlated with higher mean total numbers of abortion procedures per graduating resident (87.2 versus 48.1, P<.001). Seven directors (4%) reported that their program had been cited for inadequate abortion training. DISCUSSION: Abortion training in ob-gyn residency programs has substantially increased from 12% in 1992 to 61% in 2014, and as in other studies, routine training is associated with greater clinical competence (Almeling R, Tews L, Dudley S. Fam Plann Perspect 2000;32:268–71, 320. MacKay HT, MacKay AP. Fam Plann Perspect 1995;27:112–5. Eastwood KL, Kacmar JE, Steinauer J, Weitzen S, Boardman LA. Obstet Gynecol 2006;108:303–8). In a third of programs, residents needed to seek out training themselves, and 7% of programs offered no opportunity for training, falling short of meeting the ACGME requirement.