Abortion training in residency programs

Abstract

Following the expanded legalization of abortion in 1973, obstetrics/gynecology residency programs began to include training in these techniques. Due to a lack of specific requirements, however, many programs have never offered this training. Because most abortions are provided in freestanding clinics rather than in hospitals, many residents have not had an opportunity to learn abortion techniques. Since the 1970s, the number of residency programs that offer or require abortion training has decreased; currently, only about 12% of US obstetrics/gynecology residency programs require it. The development of collaborative programs where gynecology residents can go to learn abortion outside the hospital is one way to improve the proportion of residents who are trained. Training physicians from other specialties and midlevel clinicians is also being used to increase the number of abortion providers. New requirements specifying that obstetrics/gynecology training programs must include training in abortion techniques are under consideration. If adopted, these requirements may improve access to safe abortion for US women.