Providing solutions to inadequate family planning and abortion training at US Ob-Gyn residency programs affiliated with restrictive faith-based hospitals
Abortion
Awarded 2016
Junior Investigator Grants
Maryam Guiahi, MD, MSc
University of Colorado
$260,000

In my early career, I examined the negative impact that institutional restrictions at faith-based hospitals have on obstetrics and gynecology residency training and the subsequent care graduates provide to women, including quantitative and qualitative studies of current trainees and recent graduates. Through the research and training activities proposed in this award, I will investigate solutions to providing comprehensive family planning training where religious institutional barriers exist. This proposal is comprised of two main activities that will strengthen my career and the development of best practices for restrictive, faith-based training programs. First, I will conduct a national mixed-methods survey of obstetrics and gynecology residency program directors at restrictive faith-based hospitals to delineate their current strategies to accomplish family planning training, and their perceptions of success. I will also develop a greater understanding about ethical standards for healthcare delivery at Catholic hospitals by obtaining a Certificate in Catholic Healthcare Ethics from the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics at Loyola University. My coursework will focus on bioethical issues regarding reproductive healthcare services that are pertinent to clinical practice, legal decisions, and public policy. This learning pathway will enhance my ability to collaborate with hospital leadership: when I propose recommendations for training within restrictive settings, I will do so with an understanding of their ethical framework. This career development grant will further my goal of becoming a leading national researcher who brings attention to the impact of religious institutional restrictions on women and trainees and provides solutions to this issue.