Improve the abortion curriculum at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine

The McMaster MD program does not adequately address the issue of therapeutic abortion in the undergraduate curriculum. Teaching on the epidemiology of abortion, surgical and medical abortion procedures and risks, and pregnancy termination counseling is limited to a single e-module during the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship. The professional competencies curriculum includes a session on the ethics of abortion, but does not address the medical aspects. We recognize that abortion is a controversial issue, but the limited education we receive leaves students unprepared to counsel women who are considering abortion. Given that there are 28.3 abortions for every 100 live births in Canada (Statistics Canada), we believe medical students have a responsibility to be informed about a common procedure that will affect many of their patients.

We, the undersigned, request a mandatory lecture or PBL case on the clinical aspects of abortion in the undergraduate curriculum.