The Dobbs Decision and Its Geographical Effect on Future Physician Training [ID: 1380882

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The United States is experiencing a physician shortage, particularly in rural and lower socioeconomic status regions. The Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health decision puts individual state health care access at the forefront of future physician's decisions on where to train and practice medicine. This study assesses how access to abortion care is changing where medical students choose to apply to residency. METHODS: This study surveyed third- and fourth-year U.S. medical students applying into U.S. residency programs from August 6, 2022, to October 22, 2022. Participants were selected via convenience sampling through social media and direct outreach to U.S. medical school admissions offices, medical student class presidents, and medical student organizations. 494 complete responses were analyzed. RESULTS: The majority (77.0%) of respondents across all medical specialties reported that access to abortion care, or lack thereof, affects the location of residency programs to which they apply. Over half (58.1%) of respondents said they are unlikely to apply to a residency program located in a state with abortion restrictions. The sample represented students applying to many specialties, with obstetrics and gynecology applicants comprising 21.6% of the sample. CONCLUSION: This study found that the majority of third- and fourth-year medical students' residency choices, across all specialties, are influenced by state abortion laws. Future physicians are choosing where to attend residency based on state abortion policies, indicating that access to abortion care is changing the landscape of medical practice, and has the potential to shift the geographical makeup of health care.