Spotlight on Science 2025-Spotlight on Science 2025

Video Transcription
Video Summary
The Spotlight on Science plenary session presented several studies addressing critical issues in contraception and abortion. Dr. Anitra Beasley discussed a survey of OB-GYN residents’ abortion-related skills, revealing significant variation linked to state abortion policies. Residents training in abortion-protective states anticipated greater competence in procedural and abortion-specific skills compared to those in restrictive states. Furthermore, residents who valued abortion training when applying for residency reported higher confidence in essential skills. The findings highlight concerns that many graduating residents, especially in restrictive states, may lack confidence in essential abortion and miscarriage management skills, underscoring the need for standardized, comprehensive training.<br /><br />Dr. Jenny Higgins introduced a novel "brakes and accelerators" framework, adapted from sexual response models, to understand factors affecting abortion access post-Dobbs in Wisconsin. Through interviews with diverse participants, they identified over 20 barriers and facilitators, with money, restrictive laws, and patient navigation services emerging as major, potentially addressable deal breakers or accelerators. Participants’ experiences underscored how legal, financial, and support factors interact to impact abortion trajectories, emphasizing policy and program interventions to improve access.<br /><br />Dr. Olivia Riccobo presented a retrospective study on coagulation abnormalities and bleeding complications in second-trimester intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) patients undergoing dilation and evacuation. About 14.5% had abnormal coagulation studies and bleeding complications, with prolonged fetal demise (>29 days) linked to higher incidence of coagulation abnormalities. Low fibrinogen was the most common abnormal finding. The study suggests fibrinogen levels as a potentially useful preoperative measure and calls for further research on preventing bleeding risks.<br /><br />Dr. Lauren Ralph examined the impact of Texas’s DeAnda ruling, which revoked federal confidentiality protections for minors accessing Title X contraceptive services. Using state-wide Title X data, she found a significant decrease in minors’ visits post-ruling, disproportionately affecting younger adolescents, males, and those with limited English proficiency. Although prescription contraceptive use among minors paradoxically increased, the loss of confidentiality likely deterred care seeking. These findings serve as an early indicator of challenges to adolescents’ reproductive healthcare access amidst evolving legal landscapes.<br /><br />Together, these studies illuminate multifaceted challenges affecting reproductive healthcare access, training, and outcomes amid shifting policies, emphasizing the need for evidence-based interventions to uphold care quality and equity.
Keywords
abortion training
state abortion policies
OB-GYN residents
abortion access barriers
Dobbs decision
coagulation abnormalities
intrauterine fetal demise
Title X confidentiality
adolescent reproductive health
reproductive healthcare policy