Impact of formal family planning residency training on clinical competence in uterine evacuation techniques.

BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to assess the impact of formal opt-out family planning training on clinical competence in uterine evacuation. STUDY DESIGN Residents who participated in newly established, routine opt-out family planning training completed surveys before and after their rotations. The surveys asked residents to report clinical experience and competence in family planning. RESULTS One hundred ninety-six pre- and postrotation questionnaires were collected for a total response rate of 63%. After completing the rotation, residents reported higher competence in medical abortion, manual uterine aspiration, electric uterine aspiration and dilation and evacuation (p<.001). Residents also reported increased clinical experience with methods of termination, postabortion contraception, including intrauterine contraception, ultrasound and perioperative pain management. CONCLUSIONS Participation in a formal opt-out family planning rotation results in increased clinical exposure to family planning and in reported competence in pregnancy termination.