Background: Opt-out training increases resident exposure to and participation in abortion care. Medical students on their OB/GYN clerkships train with residents. In programs with opt-out resident training, medical students may receive more exposure to abortion, possibly influencing knowledge and attitudes.
Methods: We created a survey of medical student exposure to, knowledge of, and attitudes towards abortion. APGO educational objectives were used to develop knowledge questions. Clerkships directors distributed survey links to participants at the completion of their OB/GYN clerkships.
Results: Five of the six M.D. schools in New York City participated. 168 surveys were collected. Students rotated at 17 sites; 9 have Ryan programs. No statistically significant differences were noted between Ryan and non-Ryan Programs when evaluating for knowledge, attitudes and exposure. Overall, only 43.2% of students reported routinely scheduled exposure to abortion during the clerkship. Less than half (48.7%) scored >60% on the knowledge exam. Most (87.8%) felt education about abortion is an important part of the medical school curriculum.
Discussions: Although medical students feel abortion is an important part of medical school curriculum, overall knowledge and exposure to abortion during training through the OB/GYN clerkships is low in New York City. More accessibility to abortion services, perhaps through a medical school opt-out learning structure may be considered to bridge the gap between student learning expectations and realities surrounding abortion.
Keywords: Assessment, Community Health, Curriculum Development/Evaluation, Evidence Based Practice, Residents As Teachers, Other
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2017, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Clerkship Coordinator, Medical Knowledge, Professionalism, UME,
Melissa Figueroa, MD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Gillian Dean, MD, MPH; Britt Lunde, MD, MPH; Adam Jacobs, MD; Katherine Chen, MD, MPH
