Abortion Education Is Valued by Medical Students and Should Be Integrated Into Medical School Curricula
[March 20, 2008]
Summary of "Abortion Education in the Medical Curriculum: A Survey of Student Attitudes," Espey et al., Contraception, March 2008.
The study evaluated student attitudes toward the inclusion of abortion education in preclinical and clinical medical school curricula. Seventeen percent of schools have no formal education on abortion, and less than half include at least one dedicated lecture on abortion in the medical curriculum. About 45% of schools report offering an elective clinical experience in abortion care during the third year.
Conclusion
Preclinical abortion education and elective clinical abortion care experiences are valued by medical students and should be offered to all students "as an essential part of women's health care education," the study said. In addition, the authors conclude that medical school educators and curriculum designers should "ensure that abortion training is an integral component of their medical school curricula." More opportunities for abortion education in medical school also might help medical students develop into physicians of all specialties who will advocate for continued access to and availability of abortion.