Community Health Center Engagement and Training During Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency

Abstract

Background Community health centers (CHCs) and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are critical health care access points for medically underserved areas in the United States. They also provide opportunities for residents to learn about health system challenges, including workforce shortages, social determinants of health, and health equity. Objective We sought to describe current obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) resident engagement and training in community health settings. Methods We conducted a website review and survey to identify the prevalence and types of OB-GYN resident exposure to CHCs, including FQHCs. We reviewed 241 program websites to identify community health electives or rotations. We then surveyed program administrators regarding departmental affiliations with CHCs, types of resident involvement, and barriers to resident rotations at CHCs. Results The website review revealed that 18% (44 of 241) of programs offered a community health rotation. Of the 241 programs surveyed, 78 program administrators responded (32%). Forty-three programs (55%) had at least 1 affiliated CHC, and 34 programs (44%) allowed residents to rotate at a CHC. The most common barrier to resident rotations at a CHC was inadequate resident coverage of hospital-based clinical responsibilities. Respondents reported that among 782 graduating residents in the 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 academic years, 76 (10%) planned to pursue a position at a CHC. Conclusions According to their websites, a small percentage of US OB-GYN residency programs offered a CHC rotation. Of programs responding to a survey on the topic, less than half offered CHC rotations and less than 1 in 10 residents planned to work in CHCs after graduation.

An Open Invitation to OB-GYN Residents: Join Us in Community Health Centers

“…In this issue of the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, the authors of ''Community Health Center Engagement and Training During Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency'' reveal important gaps in the education of the majority of obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) residents. 1 Their results show that, across the United States, OB-GYN residency programs generally do not provide sufficient experience in community health for residents. The authors also point out that only 1 in 10 OB-GYN residents plans to work in a CHC after graduation-a statistic that is likely related to the lack of training they receive.…”