Barriers to Integrating early abortion into Primary Care

There are over 450 family medicine residency programs nationwide, yet fewer than 25 programs provide mandatory abortion training. The Reproductive Health Access Project estimates that about 50 family medicine residents graduate each with full training in medication and/or early suction abortion. Yet once they leave residency, few graduates are able to successfully integrate early abortion services into family medicine practices. Family physicians face multiple administrative barriers in providing early abortion services, including obtaining adequate malpractice, ensuring reimbursement, allaying staff concerns and purchasing needed equipment and medications.1 In addition, as the least senior physician in a new practice, they have little leverage to convince others to implement such a controversial service. Providing family physicians with support to work through these barriers could significantly expand access to early abortion services.

In order to better understand issues impeding trained family physicians from providing abortion care, the Reproductive Health Access Project conducted focus groups with family medicine educators, residents and newly trained family physicians. This qualitative research highlighted training issues and the need for on-going support. This session will present the findings from the focus groups and suggest strategies for addressing the issues uncovered.

Citations:

1. Seelig M, Gelbert L, Tavro P, Lee M, Rubenstein L. Determinants of Physician Unwillingness to Offer Medical Abortion using Mifepristone. Women's Health Issues 16 (2006) 14-21.