Survey of Medical Trainees Indicates a Need for Increased Access to Obstetrics and Gynecology Care

TL;DR

A survey of medical trainees found low rates of access to obstetrics and gynecology care, suggesting a need for improved access to reproductive health services.

Contribution

The study highlights the underutilization of OBGYN care among medical trainees and identifies demographic factors influencing care access.

Findings

About 11% of trainees had never seen an OBGYN provider.

Only 43% of trainees had seen a provider in the last year.

Older age and being a resident were associated with higher OBGYN care access.

Abstract

Introduction: Given the higher rates of infertility and complicated pregnancies among female physicians, we identified a need to assess access to obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) care for medical trainees. We hypothesized that medical students and residents are not up-to-date on routine OBGYN care.

Methods: We administered an optional, anonymous survey to all medical students and residents at Albany Medical College (Albany, NY, USA) who self-identified as having a uterus to assess their access to gynecologic care in November 2022. Data collected included demographic information, care-seeking practices, reproductive health screening history, contraception use, and menstrual cycle irregularities.

Results: A total of 184 trainees responded to the survey; 71% were medical students and 29% were residents. Around 11% of respondents had never seen an OBGYN provider. About 45% of respondents had not seen a provider in the last year, 20% had not seen a provider in the last three years, and 37% had not seen a provider since beginning their training. Of the trainees, 26% were not up to date on recommended cervical cancer screening; 35% indicated they had irregular menses; and 50% had not received sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing in the last year. Older age was associated with a lower rate of STI testing. Age and trainee type were both associated with having ever seen an OBGYN provider; both older participants and residents were more likely than younger participants and medical students to have answered 'yes.' Race was also associated with having ever seen an OBGYN provider.

Conclusions: Trainees accessed OBGYN care at lower-than-expected rates. There is an opportunity to improve access to OBGYN care for these trainees, which should be recommended to improve reproductive health in this group.