Abortion Provision by Family Physicians After Integrated Opt-Out Training in Residency.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Family Medicine
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Reproductive Health Education In Family Medicine (RHEDI) promotes required sexual and reproductive health (SRH) training in family medicine residencies.
• Evaluating long-term practice patterns of physicians post-residency is crucial to understand training impacts on SRH and abortion provision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term effects of enhanced SRH training on family physicians' practice patterns.
• To determine if and how abortion provision differs between physicians with and without enhanced SRH residency training.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous online survey was distributed to 1,949 family physicians who completed residency between 2010 and 2018.
• Survey data focused on residency training in SRH and current provision of SRH services, including abortion.
• 1,949 family physicians were invited, and 714 completed surveys, yielding a 36.6% response rate.

Main Results:

• Physicians receiving routine abortion training during residency were more likely to provide abortions post-graduation (24%) compared to those without (13%).
• Abortion-trained physicians were also more likely to provide other SRH services.
• Training in a family medicine setting correlated with higher abortion provision rates (31-33%) compared to training solely in dedicated abortion clinics (13-18%).

Conclusions:

• Abortion training during family medicine residency is strongly associated with increased postresidency abortion provision.
• Comprehensive SRH education, including abortion, is vital for preparing family physicians to meet diverse patient needs.
• Family medicine residency training significantly impacts physicians' willingness and ability to provide essential reproductive healthcare services.