Teaching Preclerkship Reproductive Ethics in Restricted States: Challenges, Strategies, and Insights

Abstract: In June 2022, the Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the federal constitutional right to abortion and transferring regulatory authority to individual states. This shift resulted in trigger laws activating in many states, particularly in the southern U.S. A potential consequence of these laws is that undergraduate medical students in states with strict abortion regulations may not receive robust ethics discussion on these matters. Teaching at institutions with near-total abortion bans presents unique challenges. It is crucial that preclerkship ethics education address the complexities of reproductive care ethics and prepare future physicians, no matter where they practice, to uphold their professional obligations, which include being sensitive to the needs of pregnant patients seeking abortions while also adhering to state laws. Facilitators must create a safe learning environment that encourages open discourse for mindful reflection, fostering a sense of community among participants with diverse cultural, religious, and political backgrounds.
In this presentation, I will share my recent experience developing a preclerkship ethics session focused on reproductive care. The session aimed to equip learners for Step 1 ethics questions, enhance their understanding of local statutes through a matching exercise, and engage in reflective small group dialogues on the professional obligations of patient-centered care. I will share the challenges I encountered, the successes achieved and particular insights gained in the process, all while offering encouragement that effective ethics education can indeed be accomplished even in these restrictive legal climates.

Keywords: Medical education, Abortion care, Reproductive Ethics