Original research article Availability and characteristics of abortion training in US ob-gyn residency programs: a national survey ☆,☆☆

Objective: To assess the availability and characteristics of abortion training in US ob-gyn residency programs. Methods: We surveyed fourth-year residents at US residency programs by email regarding availability and type of abortion training, procedural experience and self-assessed competence in abortion skills. We conducted multivariable, ordinal logistic regression with general estimating equations to determine individual-level and resident-reported, program-level correlates of quantity of uterine evacuation procedures done during residency. Results: Three hundred sixty-two residents provided data, representing 161 of the 240 residency programs contacted. Access to training in elective abortion was available to most respondents: 54% reported routine training—where abortion training was routinely scheduled; 30% reported opt-in training—where training was available but not routinely integrated; and 16% reported that elective abortion training was not available. Residents in programs with routine elective abortion training and those who intended to do abortions before residency did a greater number of first-trimester manual uterine aspiration and second-trimester dilation and evacuation procedures than those without routine training. Similarly, routine, integrated training, even for indications other than elective abortion, correlated with more clinical experience (all pb.01, odds ratio and confidence interval shown below). Conclusion: There is a strong independent relationship between routine training and greater clinical experience with uterine aspiration procedures.