5281.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - Board 2

Abstract #17242

Reducing disparities in access to abortion services by increasing training among health professionals

Kathy E. Simmonds, MSN, RNC, Abortion Access Project, Martha Eliot Health Center, MPH student, Harvard University (MPH candidate), 552 Massachusetts Ave., Suite 215, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617-661-1161, ksaap@aol.com

In the United States, the accessibility of abortion has been decreasing since the 1980's as a result of various factors including restrictive legislation, financial barriers, harassment and violence, and the elimination of hospital-based abortion services. In addition, there is a growing shortage of physicians and nurses who are willing and capable of providing abortion services. This shortage of qualified health professionals has contributed to increasing disparity in the geographic distribution of accessible abortion services, disproportionately affecting women who are poor, young, and/or live in rural areas. A documented decline in the training of residents to perform abortions over the last decade has clearly been one of the major causes of the current provider shortage. In addition, content on abortion and abortion-related care has been shown to be inadequate in the curricula of medical and nursing schools. This presentation will focus on efforts to increase training among health professionals about all aspects of caring for women with unintended pregnancies, from providing sensitive pregnancy options counseling to performing abortion procedures, including descriptions of innovative programs that target students in the health professions. In addition, efforts to increase training opportunities for residents, and experienced "midlevel providers" (nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives and physician assistants) will be discussed. Increasing training among future and current health providers is a critical aspect to eliminating the disparities that currently exist with respect to abortion access in the United States.

Learning Objectives: N/A

Keywords: Abortion, Access

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Abortion Access Project, Clinicians for Choice
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am currently a part-time paid employee of the non-profit organization, the Abortion Access Project.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA