Publications > Education and training

Sources of support and resistance to abortion training in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs

Researchers found that despite the ACGME mandate, there continue to be major obstacles to providing training. The majority of programs that have restrictions on specific aspects of abortion training reported that individual hospital policies were the biggest barrier. The most common reason for gestational limits was state laws.

  • Turk JK, Landy U, Chien J, Steinauer JE. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. June 2019.

Can an integrated obstetric emergency simulation training improve respectful maternity care? Results from a pilot study in Ghana

Women giving birth at facilities in Ghana were surveyed before providers received the training, and another group of women was surveyed after. The second group reported significantly more respectful care. The biggest change was in communication and autonomy, where the score almost doubled.

  • Afulani PA, Aborigo RA, Walker D, Moyer CA, Cohen S, Williams J. Birth. January 2019. 

Training in aspiration abortion care: An observational cohort study of achieving procedural competence

This research explores an effective model for training advanced-practice clinicians to perform first-trimester aspiration abortions.

  • Levi A, Goodman S, Weitz T, AbiSamra R, Nobel K, Desai S, Battistelli M, Taylor D. International Journal of Nursing Studies. December 2018.

Health providers pass knowledge and abilities acquired by training in obstetric emergencies to their peers: the average treatment on the treated effect of PRONTO on delivery attendance in Mexico

The study found that providers who received PRONTO training were more likely to implement practices the World Health Organization recommends to improve patient outcomes and prevent childbirth complications.

  • Fritz J, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Angeles G, Montoya A, Walker D. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. June 2018.

Abortion training in US obstetrics and gynecology residency programs

Nearly 15 years ago, only 51% of ob/gyn residency programs reported that abortion training was routine, where residents must opt out of training rather than opt in. Now 64% of programs offer routine training. The number of programs reporting optional or unavailable training decreased since the last survey.

  • Steinauer JE, Turk JK, Pomerantz T, Simonson K, Learman LA, Landy U. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. April 2018.

Exploring how residents who partially participate in family planning training determine their level of participation

Residents who partially participate in abortion training at programs with specialized opt-out family planning training weigh many factors when deciding under what circumstances, if any, they will provide abortions and participate in training.

  • Turk JK, Preskill F, Fields A, Landy U, Steinauer JE. Women's Health Issues. April 2017.

Reductions in pregnancy rates in the USA with long-acting reversible contraception: a cluster randomized trial

The rate of unintended pregnancy can be reduced by training providers to routinely include long-acting reversible methods in their contraceptive counseling.

  • Harper CC, Rocca CH, Thompson KM, Morfesis J, Goodman S, Danrey PD, Westhoff CL, Speidel JJ. The Lancet. June 2015.

PRONTO low-tech obstetric simulation and team-training for obstetric and neonatal emergencies in Mexico leads to a decrease in cesarean delivery rates

Making a low-cost emergency obstetric simulation training accessible globally has the potential to save the lives of mothers and newborns, particularly in the most resource-limited settings.

  • Walker D, Cohen S, Fritz J, Olvera M, Lamadrid H, Carranza L. Obstetrics & Gynecology. May 2014.

PDF iconNon-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG), a first-aid device to decrease maternal mortality from obstetric hemorrhage: A cluster randomized trial

There might be treatment benefits from earlier application of the NASG for women experiencing delays obtaining definitive treatment for hypovolemic shock.

  • Miller S, Bergel EF, El Ayadi AM, Gibbons L, Butrick EA, Magwali T, Mkumba G, Kaseba C, Huong NT, Geissler JD, Merialdi M. PLOS ONE. October 2013.

Intrauterine contraception: impact of provider training on participant knowledge and provision

Participants in the training had measurable increases in their clinical knowledge about intrauterine contraception (IUC) and reductions in the strength of misconceptions that could potentially limit provision.

  • Lewis C, Darney P, Thiel de Bacanegra H. Contraception. August 2013.

The benefits of family planning training: a 10-year review of the Ryan Residency Training Program

Routine, opt-out training in abortion and family planning gives residents in obstetrics and gynecology an opportunity to increase proficiency in patient counseling, contraception care, ultrasound and all aspects of uterine evacuation, regardless of level of participation.

  • Steinauer JE, Turk JK, Fulton MC, Simonson KH, Landy U. Contraception. August 2013.

Medical education and family planning: Developing future leaders and improving global health

Family planning training is not only vital to address global reproductive healthcare demand, but integrates effectively with cornerstones of current medical education reform: competency-based education, leadership development, collaboration with practitioners of all levels, and global health context. 

  • Landy U, Blodgett M, Darney P. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. May 2013.

The fellowship in family planning

The Fellowship in Family Planning was established in 1991 at the University of California San Francisco by Dr. Philip Darney to focus specifically on clinical training and research in abortion and contraception.

  • Lathrop E, Landy U. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. April 2013.

PRONTO training for obstetric and neonatal emergencies in Mexico

PRONTO brings simulation training to low-resource settings and can empower inter-professional teams to respond more effectively within their institutional limitations to emergencies involving women and newborns.

  • Walker DM, Cohen SR, Estrada F, Monterroso ME, Jenny A, Fritz J, Fahey JO. International Journal of Gynaecology & Obstetrics. February 2012.

The effect of training on provision of elective abortion: a survey of five residency programs

More extensive residency training in abortion care was associated with later provision of abortion care in a variety of practice settings.

  • Steinauer J, Landy U, Jackson R, Darney PD. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. May 2003.

Improving training for obstetrics and gynecology residents in abortion and family planning in the United States

In 1999, a national program was launched to increase the number of training programs offering routine training in abortion and family planning. Our approach is to identify and describe successful programs, and provide technical assistance, advice and financial support to teaching hospitals for the establishment of a formal rotation.

  • Landy U, Darney PD. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2000.