Changes in Young Pro-Choice Physicians' Attitudes Towards Abortion Provision in Residency and Early Practice [05J

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study sought to identify factors in OBGYN or Family Medicine residency training that support or impede a highly motivated physician from providing abortion care after residency. METHODS: Residents who desired abortion training at the onset of residency were recruited via purposeful sampling and snowball sampling techniques. Participants were queried about medical training and factors influencing future abortion provision via online survey and semi-structured phone interview. RESULTS: Eighty-two individuals in residency and early practice completed the survey (65.6% response rate), and 26 physicians participated in phone interviews. Thirty percent felt that they received insufficient abortion training (particularly in second trimester procedures), 58% of respondents were involved with pro-choice organizations prior to residency, compared to 43.3% reported involvement during residency. While 60% considered pursuing family planning fellowship (FPF), only 22% of respondents applied. Of those who did not apply, the most commonly reported reasons were: belief that skills acquired in residency were sufficient (44%), desire to practice full-spectrum care after residency (42%), and lack of interest in conducting research (23.7%). Excluding FPF trainees, only 21% of phone interview participants were satisfied with their current level of abortion provision. Common barriers to provision included employer restrictions, competing clinical interests, lack of mentorship/community, and regional clustering of providers. CONCLUSION: Interventions seeking to increase abortion provider availability should be directed toward bolstering family planning mentorship and community in residency, challenging institutional restrictions that impede comprehensive training, and incentivizing trained providers to seek geographically diverse positions that enable abortion provision in practice.