Abortion training in Canadian obstetrics and gynecology residency programs.
OBJECTIVE
To study abortion training in Canadian obstetrics and gynecology (ob-gyn) residency programs.


METHODS
An anonymous questionnaire was sent to all postgraduate year (PGY)-4 and PGY-5 ob-gyn residents (n=130) and residency program directors (n=16) in Canada. The questionnaires inquired about demographic information, details of abortion training, resident participation in training, and intention to provide abortions after residency.


RESULTS
Ninety-two of 130 residents (71%) and 15 of 16 program directors (94%) responded. Abortion training is considered routine in approximately half of programs and elective in half. The majority of residents (71%) participated in abortion training, and half plan to do elective abortions after residency. More than half of residents felt competent after training to perform first-trimester aspiration and second-trimester inductions but did not feel competent in first-trimester medical abortions or dilation and evacuation (D&E). Residents were more likely to participate in training if the program arranged the training for residents (P=.04) and were more likely to intend to provide abortions if the training was considered routine (P=.02), while controlling for all significant demographic and training variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Most Canadian ob-gyn programs offer some training in elective abortion, but only half include it routinely in training, and the minority of residents feels competent in D&E and medical abortion. Integrated abortion training was associated with greater resident participation in training and increased likelihood of intention to provide abortions after residency.
Roy
Genevieve
G
University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada.
Parvataneni
Ram
R
Friedman
Brooke
B
Eastwood
Katherine
K
Darney
Phillip D
PD
Steinauer
Jody
J
D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education; D011247:Pregnancy; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D012577:Schools, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires