Purpose: To understand medical student and obstetrics and
gynecology (ObGyn) residents’ experiences with a values clarification workshop
on abortion.
Background: Values clarification workshops on abortion have been shown to increase support for abortion among healthcare worker participants. Little research has studied the impact of values clarification workshops on abortion in medical trainees.
Methods: We invited clerkship year medical students and ObGyn residents at four midwestern teaching hospitals to be interviewed about their experience in a virtual values clarification workshop on abortion. A single interviewer conducted interviews via Zoom using a standardized interview guide. Participants were asked to provide feedback and discuss their experiences in the workshop. Four qualitatively trained evaluators coded the interview transcripts in NVivo using an inductive approach to establish consensus codes then themes.
Results: We interviewed 37 trainees, including 24 medical students and 13 ObGyn residents. We identified three themes in both trainee groups. First, participants found the workshops helped trainees clarify and understand their own views on abortion through thought exploration, peer validation, and reflection on their views’ potential societal impacts. Second, participants found the workshops allowed them to reflect on others’ opinions on abortion and understand the spectrum of peers’ beliefs. Finally, participants found the workshops helped them explore and develop professional identity through practicing communication skills and building trust and mutual respect among peers.
Discussions: Medical trainees found values clarification workshops on abortion to be valuable, helping them establish their own beliefs about abortion, contextualize these beliefs among their peers’, and practice professionalism.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2023, Student, Resident, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Clerkship Coordinator, Residency Director, Residency Coordinator, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Professionalism, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, GME, UME, Contraception or Family Planning, General Ob-Gyn,
Elise Cowley, BS; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Taryn Valley, MA; Alma Farooque, BA; Zoey Shultz, n/a; Margaret Williams, MD; Laura Jacques, MD
