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. Ten years ago 11 of these provided abortion training as part of their core curriculum. Today, 25 programs offer abortion training. Family medicine residency programs are currently educating approximately 235 family residents a year in abortion care. This number continues to grow as more residency programs add abortion training to their curriculum. RHAP estimates that since 2002 about 670 family medicine residents have received abortion training through their residency programs. All of these residents are able to provide medication abortion and 10% have been trained to competency in suction abortion. However, few of these providers have been able to integrate early abortion services into their practices after residency.
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. Providing family physicians with support to work through these barriers will significantly expand access to early abortion services.
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• Advocacy
• Mentoring
• Training
— Training Resources for MVA and Abortion
— Teaching Tools and Presentations
— Training and Fellowship Opportunities
