This aim of this study was to gain an updated perspective of the teaching and learning experiences of abortion care among Australian medical students. All 2020 Australian final‐year medical students were invited to complete a 12‐question cross‐sectional electronic survey. While it appears that abortion care is taught in most Australian medical schools, in some it is not, and where the topic is presented, structured and standardised teaching is still lacking. Students’ confidence around abortion care once they are in practice is low, and the majority of students showed a strong desire to have more direct abortion placement exposure. The current abortion curriculum in Australia needs revision and refinement.
Objectives Knowledge of current practices of abortion is important for planning of health services in Australia and for future training. Aims To conduct an online survey of the Fellows and specialist trainees of RANZCOG regarding their views and practices of induced abortion and compare these with results of a similar study from 2010. Methods and Materials A questionnaire was distributed to Australian Fellows and specialist trainees. Data collected were descriptively analysed and thematic analysis used for free comments. Results Approximately 25% of those emailed responded (632 of 2542); 13.7% reported total opposition to abortion on religious or conscientious grounds; the remainder did not. 83.5% believed that abortion should be part of general obstetric and gynaecological practice; 90% believed that education about abortion should be part of the curriculum for RANZCOG trainees. 92% supported public hospital provision of abortion services. A range of views was explored using thematic analysis. Discussion While a majority of Fellows and trainees do not hold religious or conscientious objections to abortion a significant minority do; this has changed little since 2010. Many respondents distinguish between ‘medical’ and ‘social’ indications for abortion although definitions of ‘social’ appear variable. There was strong support for the inclusion of abortion in the Fellowship training curriculum. Conclusion Although the response rate was lower than for the 2010 survey participants expressed strong support for the provision of abortion services in the public sector in Australia, and for incorporation of information about abortion in the training curriculum for Fellowship of RANZCOG.
Background There is currently a gender imbalance 85:15 female/male in the intake into specialist training for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). Aims To determine the views and perceptions of Australian medical students, and junior doctors in the first five years of practice, toward obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) as a career, including whether there are any perceived barriers to the pursuit of such a career. Materials and Methods A semi‐structured questionnaire was developed with members of the RANZCOG Gender Equity and Diversity Working Group There were two separate studies: the first involved telephone interviews of medical students across three campuses of a medical school in North Queensland. The second study surveyed junior doctors in Queensland who are members of the Australian Medical Association. Responses were analysed and compared using quantitative and qualitative methods. Results Both studies found that experiences with O&G as a medical student influenced the decision to pursue O&G as a career. Exclusion from clinical scenarios and difficulty establishing good relationship with midwives within busy birthing suites were some reasons deterring male students from O&G. In addition, students felt poorly informed about the specialty in their preclinical years, affecting their early decisions in choice of specialty. Post‐rotation, more female than male students reported positive experiences and were considering O&G as a career. Conclusions Both groups see medical student experience as critical in attitudes toward the specialty as a possible career. This experience plays a significant role in encouraging female students toward a career in O&G and discouraging male students. More exposure to the specialty in the preclinical years, and attention to improving clinical rotations for all students, is required.
The incidence of peripartum hysterectomy recorded in our tertiary institution between 2000 and 2014 is 0.60 per 1000 births. Abnormal placentation is the commonest indication leading to severe postpartum haemorrhage requiring peripartum hysterectomy.
Medical students from James Cook University who had completed their rotation in obstetrics, and midwives working in Cairns Hospital who had undertaken supervision of medical students in the birth suite, were invited to complete anonymous questionnaires on their views of their respective roles in the birth suite. Several issues were identified including increased medical and midwifery student numbers, and lack of communication between midwives and medical students. Increased cooperation and communication between medical and midwifery education providers is urgently needed to improve both student groups' learning experiences.
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