Where To Get Abortion Care Training

The Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade is devastating for so many of us in healthcare and justice work. Many of us are looking for ways to fight back, to support abortion care where it’s still legal, and to take control after a decision which caused an overwhelming loss of power and access.

If you’re a healthcare provider or student, you can take steps right now to ensure the future of abortion care is strengthened. If you’re mad as hell, invest your energy and your anger in your professional growth, and check out these organizations who will train you to provide abortion care in your practice.

Abortion procedures can be overseen by MDs, DOs, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants, depending on your individual state's legal framework. Currently only 14% of OB-GYNs (obstetrician-gynecologists) in private practice currently offer abortion care, but 97% report that they have patients who request these services. There are lots of logistical and regulatory reasons for this, but regardless, we desperately need more providers offering this type of care.

Only 3% of Doctor of Family Medicine graduates report providing termination services in 2018, despite this being within the scope of practice for all of them. 64% of OB-GYN residencies include routine abortion care education, which sounds ok until you realize that ALL of them are required to in order to maintain their accreditation with the American Council for Graduate Medical Education.

1. National Abortion Federation

NAF has 50 online CME courses available for members at prochoice.org/providers/continuing-medical-education/. They also host in person trainings for clinics, schools, and nonprofits, which you can request by emailing medical@prochoice.org.

2. Abortion Training Centers

This organization matches residents and practicing clinicians (of all licensure types) with 2-8 week, no cost clinical rotations to learn how to provide abortion care. Rotations can include didactic and hands-on training. Apply at https://www.abortiontraining.org/.

3. Medical Students for Choice

Their scholarship-funded Training to Competence Externship is available to medical students and residents. Apply at https://msfc.org/resident-opportunities/rhe-abortion-training/.

4. Midwest Access Project

This organization connects providers with customized observations and training rotations with providers in the Midwest, with a focus on abortion care or one of several other sexual and reproductive health topics. MAP coordinates scheduling, licensing, and administrative requirements for each rotations. Apply at https://midwestaccessproject.org/individual-clinical-training/

5. Training in Early Abortion and Comprehensive Healthcare (TEACH)

Online CME for providers regarding medical abortions; apply to the Rural Leadership Advanced Training Effort, which provides rural and international elective opportunities to trainees that wish to learn clinical abortion skills. Apply at teachtraining.org/

6. BONUS ONLINE RESOURCES: RHEDI and howtouseabortionpill.org

Free interactive videos and clinical tools on this site provide solid foundational knowledge and good refreshers regarding medical and early surgical abortion techniques. Learn at your own pace at https://rhedi.org/

For medical abortions only, this online training platform has versions for patients and healthcare providers regarding prescription, treatment, and monitoring of medical abortions. Start learning here: https://www.howtouseabortionpill.org/aboutus/

So what are you waiting for?