Abstract

Background

Following the U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs decision, access to abortion education is increasingly regionally dependent. Participation in values clarification workshops on abortion can improve abortion knowledge and reduce stigma. Traditionally, values clarification workshops occur in person, yet medical education increasingly utilizes online learning. We sought to understand how a virtual platform impacted medical students and Obstetrics and Gynecology (ObGyn) residents’ experience with a values clarification workshop on abortion.

Methods

We conducted values clarification workshops over Zoom with medical students and ObGyn residents at four midwestern teaching hospitals from January 2021-December 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. We held semi-structured interviews with participants and facilitators to learn about how the virtual format impacted their experience with the workshop. Four researchers analyzed transcripts using an inductive approach to generate codes then themes.

Results

We interviewed 24 medical students, 13 ObGyn residents, and five workshop facilitators. Participants and facilitators found the virtual platform to have both unique advantages and disadvantages. Four central themes were identified: 1) Screen as a barrier: participants noted obstacles to conversation and intimacy. 2) Emotional safety: participants felt comfortable discussing sensitive topics. 3) Ease of access: participants could access virtual workshops regardless of location. 4) Technology-specific features: Zoom features streamlined aspects of the workshop and allowed for anonymous contributions to discussion.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that a virtual platform can be a convenient and effective way to deliver values clarification workshops on abortion, and this technology could be leveraged to expand access to this training in areas without trained facilitators.

Details

Title
An online alternative: a qualitative study of virtual abortion values clarification workshops
Author
Williams, Margaret 1 ; Cowley, Elise S 2 ; Valley, Taryn M 3 ; Farooque, Alma 4 ; Shultz, Zoey 4 ; Godecker, Amy 1 ; Askins, Jacquelyn 1 ; Jacques, Laura 1 

 Dept of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA 
 Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA; Dept of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA 
 Dept of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA 
 School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA 
Publication year
2023
Publication date
Dec 2023
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Ltd.
e-ISSN
10872981
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2894310181
Copyright
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.