OB/GYN residents less likely to practice in abortion-restrictive states
Experts encourage lawmakers to liberalize abortion laws to prevent brain drain in reproductive care
The study was published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, which the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists publishes. In the survey, there were 349 participants. Close to 18 percent of residents indicated that the Dobbs decision changed the location of intended future practice or fellowship plans.
“These findings demonstrate reduced desire of residents in obstetrics and gynecology to practice or pursue fellowship in restrictive states after residency,” the study concluded. “This reduction in obstetrics and gynecology workforce could significantly exacerbate maternity care deserts.”
Residents who graduated from programs in June 2023 were the first to have their career plans affected by the Dobbs decision.
The study’s authors urged hospital-level administrators, particularly in restrictive states, to heed the concern of impending “brain drain” of physicians who can safely provide not only abortion care but also evidence-based pregnancy and miscarriage care. They wrote that they hope these findings will be useful when providing evidence to state policymakers in areas where there is a desire to have hospitals and institutions that are national leaders in health care.
“If they wish to retain and recruit physicians who can care for the population in their state, they must understand how important abortion access is to their health care workforce,” the report said.