Purpose: To evaluate family
planning training at obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) residency programs that
primarily train at restrictive religious hospitals.
Background: Catholic
and other religious hospitals face institutional family planning care
restrictions, which are in conflict with the training requirements set forth by
the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Methods: We
identified 30 ACGME accredited OB-GYN residency programs in which at least 70%
of resident time is in restrictive, faith-based hospitals. We
queried program representatives about training using an online survey and
follow-up telephone interview.
Results: We had
an 80% survey response rate. The majorities were program directors (83%),
represented Catholic hospitals (75%), and completed telephone interviews (71%).
Programs often relied on other sites to accomplish contraceptive (33%),
sterilization (71%), and abortion (88%) training. All programs reported
adequate training in reversible contraception. 58% reported inadequate
sterilization training, most commonly in postpartum and hysteroscopic
sterilizations. 67% reported inadequate abortion training, most commonly
in D&E. Approximately half (54%) offered ‘routine’ and 13% did not
offer any abortion training. Eight programs (33%) received a total of ten
Residency Review Committee citations due to insufficient family planning
training, and most of these programs (71%) reported using these citations to
gain institutional support for off-site training.
Discussions: While Catholic and
other faith-based OB-GYN residency training programs have developed strategies
in response to institutional restrictions, many report ongoing deficiencies and
half remain noncompliant with abortion training requirements. Residency Review
Committee citations, however, provided an opportunity for programs to leverage
support for comprehensive training.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2019, Resident, Residency Director, Patient Care, Systems-Based Practice & Improvement, GME, Contraception or Family Planning,
Maryam Guiahi,
MD, MSc, University
of Colorado; Stephanie Teal, MD, MPH;
Kimberly Kenton,
MD, MS; Julie
DeCesare, MD;
Jody Steinauer,
MD, MAS
