Work-arounds at faith-based obstetrics and gynecology residency programs to accomplish family planning training

Abstract

To explore work-arounds at faith-based obstetrics and gynecology residency programs to accomplish family planning training. We invited educational stakeholders to participate in telephone interviews that elicited strategies for overcoming barriers to family planning training in religious settings. Eighteen out of 30 invited programs leaders participated. Work-arounds included reliance on non-contraceptive indications for contraception and permanent contraception provision, obtaining ethics committee approvals for service provision, and developing partnerships with offsite centers for training. Ob-gyn residency programs affiliated with religious hospitals utilize various work-arounds for family planning training and patient care. These findings may inform other programs that face similar barriers, secondary to institutional or governmental restrictions.