Training health care providers in abortion and sexual and reproductive rights: challenges and recommendations

Persistent gaps remain in the training of physicians and midwives in sexual and reproductive health in Chile, despite overall advances in the field. These shortcomings affect equitable access to care and contribute to stigma surrounding sexual and reproductive rights. A multicenter study involving over 2,500 students and 57 professors from Chilean universities identified uneven curriculum implementation and disparities between secular and religious institutions. This policy brief proposes evidence-based interventions, including comprehensive sexuality education; integration of gender and human rights perspectives; explicit inclusion of abortion, conscientious objection, and confidentiality; incorporation of these topics into national assessment requirements; and strengthening faculty competencies. The proposed actions aim to improve healthcare quality and align with standards set by the WHO, FIGO, and other international organizations.