Page 130 - 2019 Info to Resident Applicants

UPMC Medical Education

Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Training Program

ABORTION AND FEMALE STERILIZATION POLICY (Reviewed/No Changes May 2019)

The UPMC Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program includes training in abortion and
female sterilization throughout the four years. A rotation focusing on family planning training
occurs during the first and fourth-years, including the provision of medical abortion, suction
aspiration abortion, and dilation and evacuation procedures.

In accordance with the educational components of the ACGME’s program requirements, the
Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program provides training in all forms of contraception,
including reversible methods and sterilization, abortion counseling and the provision of
abortions including the management of complications of abortion to all residents. The program
expects that all residents will perform abortion and sterilization procedures with appropriate
faculty supervision unless the resident has a religious or moral objection. It is not the policy of
the program that all residents must perform abortion or sterilization procedures.

Prior to the start of the family planning rotation, the resident will meet with the educational
director from family planning division to discuss the resident’s plans for participation in the
provision of partial or complete abortions and sterilization services.

Participation Expectations:
If there are certain procedures or parts of procedures that you have religious or moral
objections to and you plan to not participate fully in abortion care:

• You need to sign the “Right of Conscience Objection” form stating this prior to the start of
your rotation.
• You will discuss your plans for partial participation when you meet with the educational
director from family planning.
• You are required to perform D&E for IUFD. You must do this to meet ACGME RRC
requirements for graduation.
• You will perform transvaginal early pregnancy ultrasounds at Planned Parenthood. This
skill is essential for completing residency.
• You will care for inpatients hospitalized with abortion complications.

Exceptions will be based on completion and approval of a Right of Conscience Objection for
Abortion or Sterilization Procedures form in accordance with UPMC Exclusion from Patient
Care Policy, HS-HD-CP-08:
https://infonet.upmc.com/UPMCPolicies/SYSPolicyDocuments/HSHDCP08.pdf