County jail as a novel site for obstetrics and gynecology resident education.

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Obstetrics and gynecology residents benefit from providing care to diverse patient populations and increasing their awareness of the social determinants of health. OBJECTIVES: To describe and evaluate an outpatient rotation for obstetrics and gynecology residents at a county jail. METHODS: A comprehensive curriculum incorporating Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies was designed for all first-year residents to rotate weekly at the local county jail during their 6-week ambulatory care block. Residents completed an anonymous online evaluation and wrote a reflective essay at the end of the rotation. Data for patient visits were tabulated. RESULTS: All 9 first-year residents completed the rotation and the evaluation. Seventy-eight percent of patient visits were for gynecologic services, predominantly family planning. Residents reported that the rotation overall was a positive experience, emphasizing the unique intersection between psychosocial issues and health care in the jail setting. Rotation objectives that satisfied the 6 ACGME competencies were met. DISCUSSION: Providing care to incarcerated women through a structured curriculum is a novel way to encourage obstetrics and gynecology residents to consider the social determinants of health and for residents to cultivate their counseling skills. The rotation also included a wide breadth and depth of clinical diagnoses and procedures. Obstetrics and gynecology residency programs should consider a curriculum in reproductive health for incarcerated women.

SUBMITTER: Sufrin CB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3444189 | biostudies-other | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other