Teaching Trainees to Deliver Adolescent Reproductive Health Services

Study ObjectiveDelivery of reproductive services to adolescents varies according to specialty and has been linked to differences in clinical training. Few studies have explored how different specialties' graduate medical education (GME) programs prepare providers to deliver adolescent reproductive services. We explored the perceptions of resident physicians regarding their training in delivering adolescent reproductive health services.DesignBetween November 2008 and February 2009, 9 focus groups were conducted with graduate medical trainees in 3 specialties that routinely care for adolescents. The semistructured discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an inductive approach to content analysis.SettingLarge, urban academic medical center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.ParticipantsFifty-four resident trainees in pediatrics, family medicine, and obstetrics/gynecology.InterventionsNone.Main Outcome MeasuresTrainees' perspectives regarding the didactic teaching and clinical training in providing adolescent reproductive services.ResultsFive themes emerged, reflecting trainees' beliefs regarding the best practices in which GME programs can engage to ensure that trainees graduate with the belief that they are competent and will be comfortable delivering adolescent reproductive services. Trainees believed programs need to: (1) provide didactic lectures and diverse inpatient and outpatient clinical experiences; (2) have faculty preceptors skilled in providing and supervising adolescent reproductive services; (3) teach skills for engaging adolescents in clinical assessments and decision-making; (4) train providers to navigate confidentiality issues with adolescents and caregivers; and (5) provide infrastructure and resources for delivering adolescent reproductive services.ConclusionThe 3 specialties differed in how well each of the 5 best practices were reportedly addressed during GME training. Policy recommendations are provided.