Factors Influencing Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents' Intentions to Provide Abortion Care after Training

Many counties in the US do not have an abortion provider despite abortion being one of the most common medical procedures among reproductive aged women. Increasing the number of abortion providers in the country is a multi-faceted endeavor. Understanding the factors that influence obstetrics and gynecology residents to include abortion in their future practice is an essential component. This study sought to determine the relationship between knowledge and attitudes about abortion during residency training and the intention to provide abortion care after residency training completion. An anonymous online survey was distributed to obstetrics and gynecology residents via an invitation to program directors at accredited obstetrics and gynecology residency programs in the US. Eligible participants were obstetrics and gynecology residents enrolled at accredited residency programs in the US at the time of distribution. Survey data were collected from August 2019-February 2020 and were compiled online. Our multivariable analysis found that participation or planned participation in abortion training during residency positively influenced residents' intention to provide abortion care post-residency which supports the importance of abortion training during residency thereby improving access to abortion care. As comprehensive abortion training for obstetrics and gynecology residents is threatened with the overturn of Roe v Wade by the US Supreme Court in 2022, this research demonstrates the value of hands-on abortion experience in ensuring that this skill remains a core component of obstetrics and gynecology practice.