Perceptions of Abortion and Sexual and Reproductive Health in Chilean Medical and Midwifery Education: Protocol for a...

University education for physicians and midwives in sexual and reproductive health (SRH), particularly regarding abortion, is shaped by broader societal debates, which are often polarized. Teaching at faith-based universities might limit the scope and quality of SRH education. The study is contextualized within Chile's shifting legal and social landscape following the landmark 2017 reform under President Michelle Bachelet. This reform partially lifted Chile's absolute ban on abortion, permitting it under 3 circumstances: risk to the mother's life, fatal fetal anomaly, and a pregnancy resulting from rape. The protocol presented here intends to examine how the enacted legislation plays out in the curricula and how abortion is taught in secular and faith-based universities, which often take conflicting stances on abortion.

This study aims to improve our understanding of how SRH, particularly abortion, is being approached by both students and faculty of medicine and midwifery in Chile. Specifically, it provides comparative evidence on attitudes, perceptions, and experiences related to abortion among medical and midwifery students and faculty in Chile.

The study uses a cross-sectional and mixed methods design, with the participation of students and faculty within Chilean medical and midwifery programs. An interdisciplinary team developed and validated 2 instruments through an iterative process: a quantitative survey for undergraduate students to assess knowledge, attitudes, and competencies regarding abortion, and a semistructured interview guide for faculty to explore curricular decision-making. The instruments underwent expert content validation and pilot testing to ensure relevance to the local legal and educational context. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative findings will undergo thematic analysis to triangulate the current state of abortion training.

The funding for this study was awarded by the Diego Portales University (CG 1110689019), November 2022. Data collection for both the quantitative and qualitative components was completed as of July 2025. Recruitment finalized with 2795 students for the online survey and 57 faculty members for the semistructured interviews. Data analysis is in progress, and we expect to publish the findings from June 2026 onwards.

This protocol examines the intersection of law, education, and public health by evaluating abortion training for Chilean medical and midwifery students. Transcending ideological debates to prioritize professional competency and health equity, the findings will guide educators and policymakers in preparing technically and ethically competent health care professionals.

DERR1-10.2196/81427.