Importance of abortion training to residency program applicants: A national survey of OBGYN residents

This study evaluates how access to abortion training influenced OBGYN residents who selected residency programs before and after the Dobbs decision.

Current OBGYN residents completed a survey in January 2024 as part of their annual in-training exam. Residents rated the importance of abortion training and compared access to abortion training to other factors (e.g., residency culture and happiness, geographic location) when selecting and ranking programs. We computed the percentage of residents reporting abortion training as important and a top factor when ranking programs. We used chi-squared test to compare differences between cohorts.

Of the 6134 residents surveyed, 3182 consented to participation and had complete responses (52%). Overall, 2281 (72%) considered abortion training important when choosing programs and 2179 (69%) when ranking programs; 1105 (71%) of post-Dobbs and 1074 (66%) of pre-Dobbs residents considered abortion training important when ranking programs (p < 0.01). Access to abortion training was a top three factor for 741 (23%) respondents when ranking programs. More post-Dobbs (392, 25%) than pre-Dobbs residents (349, 21%) considered access to abortion training as a top factor when ranking programs (p = 0.01).

Applicants weigh a variety of factors when selecting programs and may match to abortion restricted environments - this includes the 23% who considered abortion training a top factor. Future work should continue to focus on the impact of the Dobbs decision on residency program selection and the ability of all residents to develop abortion-care skills.

Abortion training is an important consideration in residency program selection and essential for patient care. Without prioritization of abortion education, programs risk losing viable candidates and graduating residents without essential skills.