An "Invaluable Skill": Reflections on Abortion Training and Postresidency Practice

The goal of this study was to explore family medicine residents' experiences with abortion training and identify positive and negative influences, and facilitators and barriers to providing abortion care.

We conducted a qualitative study of recent graduates of an urban family medicine residency in the Northeast United States with an opt-out abortion curriculum. Individual recorded interviews were conducted with two classes of graduated residents until data saturation was reached. Data were coded and interpreted by both authors using the template analysis method.

Twenty residents completed interviews. Most trainees had limited or no abortion exposure prior to residency but were open to learning abortion care. By graduation, residents reported confidence in providing options counseling for unintended pregnancy. Overall, residents felt more comfortable providing medication abortion than aspiration abortion. Many reported feeling less emotional reaction to medication abortion and noted more technical and logistical barriers to learning aspiration abortion. Logistical barriers impede integration of medication abortion into practice for many, but were perceived to be less difficult to overcome than barriers to aspiration abortion integration. All participants agreed abortion care fits into the scope of primary care. Due to a variety of barriers, few of those who had not previously planned to become abortion providers after graduation incorporated it in their practice.

Abortion training prepared residents to counsel women with unintended pregnancy, but numerous barriers inhibit integration of abortion care into practice. Given limited abortion training resources and fewer perceived barriers to medication abortion provision, family medicine residencies may consider focusing training on medication abortion.