Student perceptions of reproductive health education in US medical schools: a qualitative analysis of students taking family planning electives
نویسندگان
چکیده
Background Abortion services will be sought by an estimated one in three US women before they reach age 45. Despite the importance of family planning (FP) care, many medical schools do not currently offer formal education in this area, and students are unable to meet associated competency standards prior to graduation. Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore students' motivations in pursuing FP electives throughout the United States, their experiences during these courses, and any impact of these rotations on their plans for future practice. Method We conducted a qualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews with medical students upon completing fourth-year FP electives at US medical schools. Thirty-seven LCME-accredited US medical schools offered fourth-year FP electives. Course directors at 21 of these institutions recruited study participants between June 2012 and June 2013. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed with ATLAS/ti software to identify salient themes. Results We interviewed 29 students representing 14 institutions from all regions of the United States (East Coast, Midwest, South, and West Coast). Five central themes emerged. Medical students are using FP electives to fill gaps in the standard curriculum. Elective participation did not change students' pre-elective stance on abortion. Many students intend to provide abortion in the future but identified possible limiting factors. Proficiency in contraception and options counseling were top competencies desired and gained. Students reported excellent satisfaction with FP electives and would recommend it to their peers, regardless of their personal beliefs. Conclusions Interview data revealed that students are using FP electives to fill gaps within preclinical and clinical medical school curriculum. Future physicians will be unable to provide comprehensive care for their female patients if they are not provided with this education. Research should be directed at development and analysis of comprehensive FP curricula, which will allow students to obtain the knowledge necessary to best care for their patients.
منابع مشابه
Elective courses for medical students during the preclinical curriculum: a systematic review and evaluation
Objective Preclinical medical student electives are prevalent at medical schools across the United States, but the range of electives available and their impact on medical student education are not well described in the literature. The objective of this article is to review the literature relating to preclinical medical student electives and their impact on medical student educational outcomes....
متن کاملPersonal health promotion at US medical schools: a quantitative study and qualitative description of deans' and students' perceptions
BACKGROUND Prior literature has shown that physicians with healthy personal habits are more likely to encourage patients to adopt similar habits. However, despite the possibility that promoting medical student health might therefore efficiently improve patient outcomes, no one has studied whether such promotion happens in medical school. We therefore wished to describe both typical and outstand...
متن کاملUnchallenged good intentions: a qualitative study of the experiences of medical students on international health electives to developing countries
BACKGROUND Irish medical students have a long and proud history of embarking on international health electives (IHEs) to broaden their experience in the developing world. Although there are many opinions in the literature about IHEs, there is a dearth of empirical research that explores the experience and the value of these experiences to medical students. Most students who participate in these...
متن کاملParents' Perceptions of Challenges of Male Adolescent's Sexual Education: A Qualitative Study
Introduction: The lack of accurate and timely sex education would endanger the physical and mental health of adolescents. Parents play an important role in the sexual education of adolescents, but they meet some challenges especially in Iran. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences and perceptions of parents' challenges of sexual education of male adolescents. Method: This qualit...
متن کاملMedical students' knowledge and perceptions regarding contraception in Karachi, Pakistan.
Currently home to 180 million people, Pakistan’s population continues to rise, with an estimated increase of 66 million in the next 15 years. While it is encouraging to note that women in developing countries have shown an interest in limiting their family size and appropriately spacing out pregnancies by means of modern contraceptive methods, most women in developing countries still find it di...
متن کامل