Impact of the United States Supreme court Dobbs versus Jackson Health Women’s Organization Decision on Abortion Curricula in United States Medical Schools

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of the reversal of Roe versus Wade, with the 2022 United States (U.S.) Supreme Court Dobbs1 decision, on medical school reproductive health curriculum in U.S. An electronic survey was distributed to 248 U.S. medical school obstetrics and gynecology clerkship directors in March 2023 to assess faculty demographics, reproductive health topics included in medical school curriculum and challenges in abortion education after Dobbs. One hundred forty-eight faculty completed the survey (60% response rate) from 40 states and the District of Columbia; 45% of respondents were from states with abortion restrictions in the first and second trimesters. There were no significant changes in curricular content during the months following Dobbs. Thematic analysis of text responses indicates concerns about legal implications of teaching, state audits and restrictions on materials, as well as limits on abortion education in medical schools in states with restrictive abortion laws, even prior to Dobbs. PRECIS: In the months following the Dobbs decision, there was no change in abortion curricula in pre-clerkship courses or Obstetrics and Gynecology clerkship in U.S. medical schools.