Standardizing abortion education: what medical schools can learn from residency programs
1Division of Family Planning Services and Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA.
Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology
|September 24, 2020
Summary
Medical schools in the USA offer limited abortion education, with half providing no formal training. Standardizing medical school curricula and exams is crucial for improving abortion care training and access.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Reproductive Health
- Surgical Training
Background:
- Abortion is a common medical procedure, yet formal education on abortion care is significantly lacking in US medical schools.
- Half of US medical schools offer no formal training or only a single lecture on abortion, despite student interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore abortion education in US medical schools and Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) residency programs.
- To review efforts aimed at improving and standardizing abortion care training.
Main Methods:
- Review of current medical school curricula regarding abortion education.
- Analysis of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) residency training standards and compliance.
- Examination of initiatives to enhance and standardize abortion care training.
Main Results:
- Medical students have limited educational opportunities in abortion care, despite interest.
- Ob/Gyn residency programs have standardized abortion care requirements, improving training but facing compliance challenges.
- Persistent gaps exist in comprehensive abortion education across US medical schools.
Conclusions:
- Standardizing abortion education in medical schools is essential for early and broad exposure for future physicians.
- Improving medical student education in abortion care is critical for training providers and ensuring access to safe procedures.
- Implementing standardized national exams for medical students can enhance accountability for abortion care education.
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