Is Abortion Included in Maternal and Child Health Curricula in the United States?
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GRADUATE EDUCATION
Is Abortion Included in Maternal and Child Health Curricula in the United States? Meredith Burns1,2 · Roger Rochat3 · Amy G. Bryant4 · Kathryn Andersen2
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2018
Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess whether Maternal and Child Health (MCH) graduate programs address abortion content in their programs’ foundational courses, elective courses, and general curricula. Description Between January and March 2017, we conducted a descriptive study with faculty from the 13 Centers of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Education, Science and Practice (COEs). We reviewed syllabi and discussed foundational and elective course content via email and key informant interviews with COE faculty. We categorized abortion coverage in foundational courses as “transparent” or “tangential” depending on inclusion of the word “abortion” in course syllabi. We identified electives addressing abortion as “electives including abortion” and courses that focus on abortion as “abortion-specific electives.” Assessment Evidence demonstrated that most programs do not transparently address abortion in required course curricula. Only one of 13 COEs transparently addresses abortion in the foundational course(s); seven COEs tangentially include abortion in foundational courses; and all programs address abortion in some capacity though no standard exists to ensure its inclusion. Despite barriers, including avoidance of controversy and fear of losing funding, COEs could address abortion by establishing shared curricular standards, facilitating values clarification and attitude transformation activities, utilizing information-sharing networks, strengthening relationships between MCH programs and abortion-related organizations, and using professional societies. The scope of our study does not allow us to conclude why abortion content is lacking nor the quality of current content. Conclusion MCH programs should transparently incorporate abortion content in foundational and electives courses to educate students on how to engage with complex and sometimes stigmatized public health issues. Keywords Abortion · Maternal and child health · Public health education · Curriculum
* Meredith Burns [email protected] Roger Rochat [email protected] Amy G. Bryant [email protected] Kathryn Andersen [email protected] 1
Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Ipas, P.O. Box 9990, 300 Market Street, Chapel Hill 27515, NC, USA
2
3
Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road NE. Room 7005, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
4
Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4002 Old Clinic Building CB #7570, Chapel Hill, NC 27599‑7570, USA
Significance This study demonstrates that future MCH leaders lack exposure to abortion education in required courses, potentially affecting policy, clinical, and public health i
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