About The Issues -> Lack of Training

Even though abortion is one of the most common surgical procedures that women undergo in the U.S. (8) and Canada, few medical students and residents are learning about abortion and how to provide this procedure. Currently, only 5% of all abortions are performed in hospitals where most medical students and residents are trained (1).

Medical students are realizing that even if they don’t plan to perform abortions themselves, they will have patients who are facing an unintended pregnancy. They may also need to perform an emergency D&C. An estimated 43% of women in the U.S. will have at least one abortion by the time they are 45 years old (8). Without proper training, tomorrow’s doctors cannot hope to be fully prepared to meet their patients’ needs.

What MSFC is doing

MSFC student groups throughout the U.S. and Canada are taking their training into their own hands, and many students are taking the initiative to access greater training opportunities.

• MSFC’s Reproductive Health Externship Program supports medical students training with physicians in abortion clinics.
• Networking programs link students and residents with mentors, educational opportunities, and training sites
• MSFC’s Leadership Training Program helps develop activist physician leaders who can serve as advocates in their communities
• MSFC school groups arrange shadowing opportunities that give students a chance to observe abortion procedures and counseling sessions
• MSFC’s Annual Meeting and regional conferences feature respected health professionals who lead discussions and lectures about reproductive health issues often not covered in medical schools

For more information about our work, please go to What We Do.