Impact of the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization decision on retention of Indiana medical students for residency

Luci Hulsman; Paige K Bradley; Amy Caldwell; Megan Christman; Debra Rusk; Anthony Shanks

doi:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101164

Impact of the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization decision on retention of Indiana medical students for residency

Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2023 Nov;5(11):101164. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101164. Epub 2023 Sep 30.

Authors

Luci Hulsman¹, Paige K Bradley¹, Amy Caldwell¹, Megan Christman¹, Debra Rusk¹, Anthony Shanks²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Graduate Medical Education, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN (Ms Hulsman); Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN (Drs Bradley, Caldwell, Christman, and Shanks); Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN (Dr Rusk).
² Department of Graduate Medical Education, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN (Ms Hulsman); Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN (Drs Bradley, Caldwell, Christman, and Shanks); Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN (Dr Rusk). Electronic address: ashanks@iupui.edu.

PMID: 37783276
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101164

Abstract

Background: As medical students consider residency training programs, access to comprehensive training in abortion care and the legal climate influencing abortion care provision are likely to affect their decision process.

Objective: This study aimed to determine medical students' desire to stay in a state with an abortion ban for residency.

Study design: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to all medical students at a large allopathic medical school. Anonymous survey questions investigated the likelihood of seeking residency training in states with abortion restrictions and the likelihood of considering obstetrics and gynecology as a specialty. Qualitative responses were also captured.

Results: The survey was distributed to 1424 students, and 473 responses yielded a 33.2% completion rate; 66.8% of students were less likely to pursue residency training in Indiana following a proposed abortion ban. Moreover, 70.0% of students were less likely to pursue residency in a state with abortion restrictions. Approximately half of respondents (52.2%) were less likely to pursue obstetrics and gynecology as a specialty after proposed abortion restrictions. Qualitative remarks encompassed 6 themes: comprehensive health care access, frustration with the political climate, impact on health care providers, relocation, advocacy, and personal beliefs and ethical considerations.

Conclusion: Most medical students expressed decreased likelihood of remaining in Indiana or in states with abortion restrictions for residency training. The field of obstetrics and gynecology has been negatively affected, with medical students indicating lower likelihood to pursue obstetrics and gynecology. Regardless of specialty, the physician shortage may be exacerbated in states with abortion restrictions. The overturn of Roe v Wade has the potential for significant effects on medical student plans for residency training location, thereby shaping the future of the physician workforce.

Keywords: Roe v Wade; abortion; advocacy; medical education; policy; residency training.

MeSH terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Indiana / epidemiology
Internship and Residency*
Pregnancy
Students, Medical*
Women's Health