Accepted for/Published in: Interactive Journal of Medical Research
Date Submitted: Dec 5, 2023
Date Accepted: Oct 22, 2024
Student and Physician Views of How Overturning Roe Affects Training & Practice Location Preferences: a Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Association decision will have lasting impacts on patient care and the physician workforce.
Objective:
This study aimed to describe why restrictive abortion bans impact the practice location preferences of medical students and physicians.
Methods:
In August 2022, a non-probabilistic sample of physicians and medical students was surveyed on social media about the impact of overturning Roe v. Wade on practice location preferences. An inductive thematic analysis was completed from the question, “Please share your thoughts about the overturning of Roe vs. Wade and how it will affect your decision about your (residency/job or fellowship) programs.”
Results:
There were 524 free responses (25.4% of 2063 total) analyzed. Approximately half of the respondents resided in states where abortion bans were in place or anticipated (n=261, 50.5%), and half resided in states where abortion remains legal (n=256, 49.5%).1 The three most common themes were patient access to care (n=249, 47.5%), not choosing to practice or train in a state with abortion restrictions (n=249, 47.5%), and personal belief that an abortion ban is a human rights/body autonomy violation (n=197, 37.6%).
Conclusions:
Abortion restrictions impact the physician workforce in patient care and personal factors. Opportunities to address the concerns of physicians and medical students include: ensuring evidence-based care can be provided, upholding human rights and bodily autonomy, and supporting providers who practice in restrictive environments. These efforts are critical to sustaining the physician workforce. Clinical Trial: N/A
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