Treatment of early pregnancy failure: does induced abortion training affect later practices?

Management of early pregnancy loss by reproductive endocrinologists: does access to mifepristone matter?

Objective

To describe patterns and variations in the medical and procedural management of early pregnancy loss (EPL) among reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialists, with attention to mifepristone use.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Online survey.

Patients

Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility members.

Intervention

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure

Preferred management for EPL.

Results

Of 101 completed surveys (response rate: 12.2%), 70.3% of respondents reported diagnosing EPL at least once per week. Half (50.5%) of respondents preferred medical management compared with 27.7% who preferred procedural management and 21.8% who preferred expectant management. Approximately one-quarter (26.7%) of respondents offer mifepristone for medical management of EPL. The most common reason cited for not prescribing mifepristone was a lack of access to the medication. Mifepristone prescribers were more likely to work in a hospital or university setting than private practice. Increasing years in practice was also associated with mifepristone use. The use of mifepristone for EPL did not vary by the respondent's age, gender, prior abortion training, or practice region.

Conclusion

The most effective method of medical management uses both mifepristone and misoprostol. However, nearly three-quarters of reproductive endocrinology and infertility physicians do not offer mifepristone, which may be linked to access issues.

Abortion Policy: Legal, Clinical, and Medical Education Considerations

Abortion is a frequent topic of policy debate in America and a central issue in politics since the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Supreme Court decision. A number of states have completely or nearly completely banned abortion and criminalized health care providers. People seeking abortion care are turning to alternatives outside the formal health care system or traveling to states that have preserved access. Approximately half of US Obstetrics/Gynecology residents will train in a state where abortion is illegal, lending to a frightening future where Obstetrics/Gynecologists are not trained to provide this common, sometimes life-saving, health care.

The Impact of the Dobbs Decision on Diagnostic Radiology Applicants, Residents, and Program Directors

In the Dobbs decision the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, returning the issue of abortion to the states. To date, there is little published data on the impact this might have on where future residents choose to pursue graduate medical education. We investigated the potential effects of the resultant varied political landscape of abortion care access laws with respect to influence on the selection of prospective diagnostic radiology training programs by medical students, comparing application rates for the 2022 recruitment cycle to the prior 4 years across a geographically diverse group of 22 academic and community sites across the United States. We provide strategies for program directors to consider in dealing with topics related to this continually evolving issue as it pertains to resident recruitment and retention.

Comparison of Early Pregnancy Loss Management Between States With Restrictive and Supportive Abortion Policies

INTRODUCTION

Mifepristone-misoprostol and office uterine aspiration used for abortion care are also evidence-based, cost-effective strategies for early pregnancy loss management. We aimed to compare the provision of mifepristone-misoprostol and office uterine aspiration for early pregnancy loss between states with restrictive and supportive abortion policies.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional, internet-based survey regarding early pregnancy loss management among obstetrician-gynecologists (OBGYNs) at academic medical centers. We assessed management offered along with facilitators and barriers to implementation of mifepristone-misoprostol and office uterine aspiration. We used χ² and multivariable logistic regression to compare practice patterns.

RESULTS

We analyzed responses from 350 physicians, 56% from states with restrictive abortion policies. OBGYNs in states with restrictive abortion policies were less likely than those in states with supportive abortion policies to offer both mifepristone-misoprostol and office uterine aspiration (33.2% vs. 51.3%; p = .001), to report having received induced abortion training (67.3% vs. 89.6%; p < .001), and to report perceived institutional support for abortion care (49.0% vs. 85.0%; p < .001). After adjusting for confounders, restrictive state policy was no longer associated with providing both mifepristone-misoprostol and office uterine aspiration for early pregnancy loss (adjusted odds ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58-2.45). However both prior induced abortion training and institutional support for abortion care remained significantly associated (adjusted odds ratio, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.07-3.97 and adjusted odds ratio, 3.91; 95% CI, 2.08-7.38, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

OBGYNs practicing in states with restrictive abortion policies are less likely than those in states with supportive abortion policies to have received abortion training or perceive institutional support for abortion care, and they are less likely to offer mifepristone-misoprostol and office uterine aspiration for early pregnancy loss.

Implications of the Dobbs Decision for Medical Education: Inadequate Training and Moral Distress

This Viewpoint discusses how states’ restrictions on abortion will affect medical students’ training in providing reproductive health care and also create moral distress by being forced to provide care that may harm patients.

Projected Implications of Overturning Roe v Wade on Abortion Training in U.S. Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Programs

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision on Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization, a direct challenge to Roe v Wade. A detailed policy analysis by the Guttmacher Institute projects that, if Roe v Wade is overturned, 21 states are certain to ban abortion and five states are likely to ban abortion. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires access to abortion training for all obstetrics and gynecology residency programs. We performed a comprehensive study of all accredited U.S. obstetrics and gynecology residency programs to assess how many of these programs and trainees are currently located in states projected to ban abortion if Roe v Wade is overturned. We found that, of 286 accredited obstetrics and gynecology residency programs with current residents, 128 (44.8%) are in states certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v Wade is overturned. Therefore, of 6,007 current obstetrics and gynecology residents, 2,638 (43.9%) are certain or likely to lack access to in-state abortion training. Preparation for the reversal of Roe v Wade should include not only a recognition of the negative effects on patient access to abortion care in affected states, but also of the dramatic implications for obstetrics and gynecology residency training.

The integration of abortion into obstetrician-gynecologists' practice after comprehensive family planning resident training

OBJECTIVES

To explore the impacts of routine family planning and abortion training during residency on abortion practice between three and ten years after residency.

METHODS

In 2018, we surveyed 771 graduated obstetrician-gynecologists at least three years after residency about their current abortion practice. Respondents consented to join a prospective cohort as part of routine, post-rotation evaluation of the Kenneth J. Ryan Residency Training Program in Abortion and Family Planning. We matched and then de-identified post-rotation and post-residency surveys, and conducted bivariate and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Of 463 respondents (60% response rate), 188 (41%) reported that they provide abortions (median of eight abortions per month) in their current practice. Eighty-eight (19%) do not provide abortions but would if not restricted by their practice. One hundred-fifty respondents (32%) reported abortions are out of their practice scope or that someone else in their practice provides abortions, and 38 (8%) do not desire to provide abortion care. Two hundred twenty-six (54%) reported practice or hospital group restrictions to abortion care. In multivariable analyses controlling for demographics, training, attitude and practice factors; geographic location, practice restrictions and logistical barriers, among other variables, correlated with abortion practice (practice in the West: odds ratio (OR) 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-4.2; p = 0.01; logistical barriers: OR 0.3, CI 0.1 to 0.7, p = 0.01; and practice restrictions OR 0.5, CI 0.3 to 0.8, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly half of Ryan Program-trained obstetrician-gynecologists provide abortions. However, many barriers prevent the integration of abortion into practice. Healthcare providers and leaders should work to eliminate barriers to the provision of abortion care.

IMPLICATIONS

Regardless of their intentions at the time of training, nearly half of Ryan Program-trained obstetrician-gynecologists provide abortions in practice, and another 19% would if not restricted by their practice. Integrated training is critical to abortion care, and efforts to overcome practice barriers could improve access to comprehensive health care.

Barriers and Enablers to Family Physicians' Provision of Early Pregnancy Loss Management in the United States

BACKGROUND

Early pregnancy loss (EPL) is a common experience. Treatment options include expectant management, medication, and uterine aspiration. Although family physicians can offer comprehensive EPL treatment in their office-based settings, few actually do. This study explored the postresidency provision of EPL management and factors that inhibit or enable providing this care among family physicians trained in early abortion during residency.

METHODS

Using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, we studied a sample of family physicians trained in early abortion during residency. We initially interviewed a subset trained in uterine aspiration during residency, then surveyed the entire sample. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using grounded theory; results informed survey development. On survey responses, we used Pearson χ² to examine the association between certain variables and provision of EPL care options.

RESULTS

Most of the 15 interview and 231 survey respondents provided expectant management of EPL. Of the survey respondents, 47.2% provided medication management and 11.4% manual vacuum aspiration. Key challenges and facilitators involved referral, training, ultrasound access, and managing systems-level issues. In bivariate analyses, providing prenatal care, offering abortion care, access to ultrasound, and competency were positively associated with providing EPL management options (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical training alone is insufficient to expand access to comprehensive EPL care in family medicine office-based settings. Supporting family physicians during and after residency with training and technical assistance to address barriers to care may strengthen their abilities to champion practice change and expand access to comprehensive EPL management options.

Family planning training at Catholic and other religious hospitals: a national survey

BACKGROUND

Catholic and other faith-based hospitals often restrict family planning service provision based on institutional doctrine. Approximately 11% of US accredited obstetrics and gynecology residency programs occur at such hospitals, creating a challenge to educational leaders who must ensure comprehensive family planning training.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and summarize family planning training at obstetrics and gynecology residency programs that are affiliated with Catholic and other faith-based hospitals that restrict reproductive services.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using an online database search and survey screening questions, we identified 30 of 278 accredited 2017-2018 programs in which at least 70% of resident time is spent in faith-based hospitals that restrict family planning services; Jewish programs were excluded. We queried program leaders between March 2017 and April 2018 about education and training using an online or paper survey, and asked them to report on training settings, provision of family planning services in such settings, and to rate aspects of training as "poor," "adequate," or "strong." We compared responses at Catholic versus other faith-based programs using Fisher exact tests, χ² analyses, and median tests.

RESULTS

Among 30 programs, 25 responded (83%); the majority of respondents were program directors (88%) and represented Catholic hospitals (76%). All reported adequate contraceptive training, with 47% of Catholic programs relying on off-site locations. The majority of Catholic sites (84%) relied on off-site sterilization training sites. Survey respondents from Catholic programs most commonly endorsed concerns for inadequate training in postpartum tubal ligations (53% of Catholic respondents versus 0% of other faith-based program respondents, P = .05). Approximately one-half (56%) offered abortion training as part of the curriculum ("routine"), 32% offered residents the opportunity to arrange training ("elective"), and 12% did not offer; the majority (84%) relied on off-site collaborations. Catholic sites were more likely than other religious programs to report poor abortion training (47% versus 0%, P = .04). Five Catholic programs (26% of Catholic programs) reported that their residents did not meet the graduate training requirement for completion of 20 dilation and curettage procedures. One-third reported a prior Residency Review Committee family planning citation(s), and many commented that these citations helped provide leverage for improved training.

CONCLUSION

Although Catholic and other restrictive, faith-based obstetrics and gynecology residency training programs have developed strategies in response to institutional restrictions, many report ongoing deficiencies, and almost one-half reported they were noncompliant with abortion training requirements. Programs with deficient trainings may benefit from strategic approaches, including enhanced onsite education and collaborations with off-site facilities.

Abortion training in US obstetrics and gynecology residency programs

BACKGROUND

Nearly 15 years ago, 51% of US obstetrics and gynecology residency training program directors reported that abortion training was routine, 39% reported training was optional, and 10% did not have training. The status of abortion training now is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine the current status of abortion training in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs.

STUDY DESIGN

Through surveying program directors of US obstetrics and gynecology residency training programs, we conducted a cross-sectional study on the availability and characteristics of abortion training. Training was defined as routine if included in residents' schedules with individuals permitted to opt out, optional as not in the residents' schedules but available for individuals to arrange, and not available. Findings were compared between types of programs using bivariate analyses.

RESULTS

In all, 190 residency program directors (79%) responded. A total of 64% reported routine training with dedicated time, 31% optional, and 5% not available. Routine, scheduled training was correlated with higher median numbers of uterine evacuation procedures. While the majority believed their graduates to be competent in first-trimester aspiration (71%), medication abortion (66%), and induction termination (67%), only 22% thought graduates were competent in dilation and evacuation. Abortion procedures varied by clinical indication, with some programs limiting cases to pregnancy complication, fetal anomaly, or demise.

CONCLUSION

Abortion training in obstetrics and gynecology residency training programs has increased since 2004, yet many programs graduate residents without sufficient training to provide abortions for any indication, as well as dilation and evacuation. Professional training standards and support for family planning training have coincided with improved training, but there are still barriers to understand and overcome.

Contraception Delivery in Pediatric and Specialist Pediatric Practices

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To characterize pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy around contraception.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

United States.

PARTICIPANTS

National sample of pediatricians.

INTERVENTIONS

Assessment of behaviors of providing contraception.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Reproductive health practice score.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty-three usable surveys were received, from 163 contraceptive prescribers and 60 nonprescribers. The mean reproductive health practice score was 43.1 (SD, 8.2; total possible score, 84). Prescribers differed in their mean reproductive health score (46.0; SD, 7.0) from nonprescribers (34.0; SD, 4.5; P < .001). Prescribers vs nonprescribers differed in their attitude and efficacy in providing contraception. More prescribers believed it was their responsibility to ask about patients' need for birth control, were confident in their ability to prescribe contraception options, and provided contraception to minors despite parental disapproval. Neither group was confident in their ability to place intrauterine devices or believed that the literature supports intrauterine device placement in adolescents. Only efficacy was related to prescribing contraception in a multivariate regression analysis (odds ratio, 1.7; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we showed that most pediatricians are contraception prescribers but the overall reproductive health score was low for prescribers and nonprescribers. The odds of prescribing contraception increased with higher self-efficacy scores rather than knowledge alone. Many prescribers and nonprescribers would not prescribe birth control if parents disapproved and do not believe it is their responsibility to assess patients' need for birth control. In addition very few pediatricians have training in long-acting reversible contraception, despite being the recommended method for adolescents.

Beyond usual care: the economic consequences of expanding treatment options in early pregnancy loss

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to estimate the economic consequences of expanding options for early pregnancy loss (EPL) treatment beyond expectant management and operating room surgical evacuation (usual care).

STUDY DESIGN

We constructed a decision model using a hypothetical cohort of women undergoing EPL management within a 30 day horizon. Treatment options under the usual care arm include expectant management and surgical uterine evacuation in an operating room (OR). Treatment options under the expanded care arm included all evidence-based safe and effective treatment options for EPL: expectant management, misoprostol treatment, surgical uterine evacuation in an office setting, and surgical uterine evacuation in an OR. Probabilities of entering various treatment pathways were based on previously published observational studies.

RESULTS

The cost per case was US $241.29 lower for women undergoing treatment in the expanded care model as compared with the usual care model (US $1033.29 per case vs US $1274.58 per case, expanded care and usual care, respectively). The model was the most sensitive to the failure rate of the expectant management arm, the cost of the OR surgical procedure, the proportion of women undergoing an OR surgical procedure under usual care, and the additional cost per patient associated with implementing and using the expanded care model.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that expanding women's treatment options for EPL beyond what is typically available can result in lower direct medical expenditures.

Training at a faith-based institution matters for obstetrics and gynecology residents: results from a regional survey

BACKGROUND

Prior data suggest that opportunities in family planning training may be limited during obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn) residency training, particularly at faith-based institutions with moral and ethical constraints, although this aspect of the Ob-Gyn curriculum has not been formally studied to date.

OBJECTIVES

We compared Ob-Gyn residents' self-rated competency and intentions to provide family planning procedures at faith-based versus those of residents at non-faith-based programs.

METHODS

We surveyed residents at all 20 Ob-Gyn programs in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin from 2008 to 2009. Residents were queried about current skills and future plans to perform family planning procedures. We examined associations based on program and residents' personal characteristics and performed multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 232 of 340 residents (68%) from 17 programs (85%) returned surveys. Seven programs were faith-based. Residents from non-faith-based programs were more likely to be completely satisfied with family planning training (odds ratio [OR]  =  3.4, 95% confidence limit [CI], 1.9-6.2) and to report they "understand and can perform on own" most procedures. Most residents, regardless of program type, planned to provide all surveyed family planning services.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite similar intentions to provide family planning procedures after graduation, residents at faith-based training programs were less satisfied with their family planning training and rate their ability to perform family planning services lower than residents at non-faith-based training programs.

The family medicine residency training initiative in miscarriage management: impact on practice in Washington State

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Non-complicated spontaneous abortion cases should be counseled about the full range of management approaches, including uterine evacuation using manual vacuum aspiration (MVA). The Residency Training Initiative in Miscarriage Management (RTI-MM) is an intensive, multidimensional intervention designed to facilitate implementation of office-based management of spontaneous abortion using MVA in family medicine residency settings. The purpose of this study was to test the impact of the RTI-MM on self-reported use of MVA for management of spontaneous abortion.

METHODS

We used a pretest/posttest one group study design and a web-based, anonymous survey to collect data on knowledge, attitudes, perceived barriers, and practice of office-based management of spontaneous abortion. We used multivariable models to estimate incident relative risks and accounted for data clustering at the residency site level.

RESULTS

Our sample included 441 residents and faculty from 10 family medicine residency sites. Our findings show a positive association between the RTI-MM and self-reported use of MVA for management of spontaneous abortion (adjusted RR=9.11 [CI=4.20--19.78]) and were robust to model specification. Male gender, doing any type of management of spontaneous abortion (eg, expectant, medication), other on-site reproductive health training interventions, and support staff knowledge scores were also significant correlates of physician practice of MVA.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the RTI-MM was successful in influencing the practice of management of spontaneous abortion using MVA in this population and that support staff knowledge may impact physician practice. Integrating MVA into family medicine settings would potentially improve access to evidence-based, comprehensive care for women.