Conflicts with Catholic directives result in medical students ill-trained in Gynecology
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7350102/
An article from the National Center for Biotechnology Information summarizes the ever -increasing division of OB/GYN Program requirements as outlined by the ACGME American College of Gynecology Medical Education and the restrictions of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Ethical and Religious Directives (ERD) In Catholic teaching hospitals. The impact of ill- trained and non-experienced practitioners in reproductive health care procedures is an ever-increasing threat to patients. This is another example of the far-reaching impact on health care controlled by these restrictions. From the article:
In summary, this article has attempted to describe the moral tensions that exist within academic Catholic health centers sponsoring residencies in obstetrics and gynecology. These tensions arise in attempts at simultaneous compliance with ACGME Program Requirements and the ERD. For the ACGME abortion, sterilization and contraceptive training is no longer optional for programs and must be part of the planned curriculum. For the USCCB, the sponsorship of residencies in obstetrics and gynecology poses obvious material cooperation with illicit practices. In their most recent iterations, both the ACGME Program Requirements and the ERD move further away from acceptable resolutions as each outline the necessary attributes of fundamental compliance and cooperation. While resolution of these conflicts may not be possible, management of conflicts and tensions through transparency and authenticity in approach to the issues will mitigate ambiguity and the potential for scandal in both Catholic and secular meaning. Most importantly, full and explicit elucidation of these tensions with open dialogue as a first step will likely contribute to and enhance the moral environment that patients should expect when receiving care in Catholic healthcare institutions, whether that care is rendered by trainees, staff physicians, or other healthcare providers.