Mentoring: A collaborative and reciprocal learning relationship between two or more individuals who share mutual responsibility and accountability for helping a mentee work toward achievement of clear and mutually defined learning goals.
In the US, 87% of counties have no abortion provider. Family physicians work primarily in medically underserved urban and rural communities. Expanding abortion care in family medicine could greatly improve the abortion provider shortage.
There are over 450 family medicine residency programs nationwide, yet fewer than 25 provide abortion training as part of their core curriculum. The Reproductive Health Access Project (RHAP) estimates that family medicine residency programs graduate a total of 50 to 100 residents annually who are fully trained in medication and/or early suction abortion. However, few of these providers are able to successfully integrate early abortion services into their practices after residency.
In 2006 RHAP held a series of discussions with family medicine leaders in abortion training and newly trained family physicians to discuss barriers to abortion practice. We found that family physicians face multiple barriers in providing early abortion services, including obtaining adequate malpractice, ensuring reimbursement for early abortion procedures, allaying staff concerns and purchasing needed equipment and medications. It became clear that overcoming these obstacles would require focused attention with widespread collaboration among the trainers and faculty in family medicine.
In response to this identified need, the Reproductive Health Access Project is launching the FAMILY MEDICINE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NETWORK. This network pulls together over 140 family medicine leaders in reproductive health from all over the country to work together nationally and in their respective communities to address the barriers preventing newly trained family physicians from providing integrating abortion care into their work. The heart of the network’s work is developing strong mentoring relationships with residents and new family physicians.
Changing the way health care is provided is a long term process that requires training system change on multiple levels. Above all, it requires experienced Mentors to coach family physicians through the challenges in making these changes.
To find out about joining the Family Medicine Reproductive Health Network or to find a family medicine mentor email:
info@reproductiveaccess.org
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Resources for Mentoring:
Mentoring for Service Delivery Change: A Trainer’s Handbook
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*Adapted from Mentoring for service-delivery change: A trainer’s handbook developed by IPAS
