Anticipated Impact of Dobbs V Jackson Women's Health Organization on Training of Resident/Fellows in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Qualitative Analysis

Authors

Cara L. Grimes, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) and Urology, and Associate Chair of Research in OB/GYN, New York Medical College.
Gabriela Halder, Assistant Professor of OB/GYN, University of Texas Medical Branch.
A Jenna Beckham, Assistant Professor of OB/GYN, WakeMed Health and Hospitals.
Shunaha Kim-Fine, Clinical Associate Professor of OB/GYN, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Rebecca Rogers, Professor of OB/GYN, Albany Medical Center.
Cheryl Iglesia, PResident/Fellow, Society of Gynecologic Surgeons (on behalf of the Society for Gynecologic Surgeons Collaborative Research in Pelvic Surgery Consortium).

Author Type(s)

Faculty

Journal Title

Journal of Graduate Medical Education

First Page

339

Last Page

347

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2023

Department

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of ended constitutional protection for abortion, thus severely restricting access to reproductive health care for millions of individuals. Concerns have arisen about the potential impact on medical students, Resident/Fellows, and fellows training in restricted areas and the effect on gynecologic training and the future provision of competent comprehensive women's health care in the United States. OBJECTIVE: To qualitatively explore the anticipated impacts of the ruling on training in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN). METHODS: A participatory action research approach employing methods of qualitative analysis was used. Trainees and leaders in national OB/GYN professional and academic organizations with missions related to clinical care and training of medical students, Resident/Fellows, and fellows in OB/GYN participated. Two focus groups were held via Zoom in July 2022. Using an iterative process, transcripts underwent coding by 2 independent researchers to identify categories and common themes. Themes were organized into categories and subcategories. An additional reviewer resolved discrepancies. RESULTS: Twenty-six OB/GYN leaders/stakeholders representing 14 OB/GYN societies along with 4 trainees participated. Eight thematic categories were identified: competency, provision of reproductive health care, residency selection, inequity in training, alternative training, law-based vs evidence-based medicine, morality and ethics, and uncertainty about next steps. CONCLUSIONS: This qualitative study of leaders and learners in OB/GYN identified 8 themes of potential impacts of the ruling on current and future training in OB/GYN.

Recommended Citation

Grimes, C. L., Halder, G., Beckham, A. J., Kim-Fine, S., Rogers, R., & Iglesia, C. (2023). Anticipated Impact of Dobbs V Jackson Women's Health Organization on Training of Resident/Fellows in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Qualitative Analysis. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 15 (3), 339-347. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-22-00885.1