KFF Surveys OB/GYNs on Their Experiences in a Post-Dobbs World

A recent KFF survey of obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs) on their experiences in a post-Dobbs world noted that 24% of clinicians had patients unable to get an abortion despite wanting one. The survey analyzed responses from OB/GYNs across the United States on abortion services, miscarriage management, policy understandings, legal risk, care restrictions, contraception, and additional avenues of care.

The responses were distributed on paper and online. Each of the 569 answers was collected between March 17, 2023, and May 18, 2023. As an incentive for completing the survey, clinicians were given small financial compensation; however, the response rate was only 29.9%.

According to the survey, only 12% of OB/GYNs surveyed offer dilation and evacuation abortions. Although an additional 47% will provide a referral, 25% will only offer information, and 13% do not provide any information or referrals.

Comparatively, 13% provided aspiration abortions; only 5% provided telehealth medication abortions; and 14% offered in-person medication abortions. In states where abortion is banned, 30% of providers will not provide, refer, or offer information on abortion services.

Beyond abortion services, the survey also assessed how abortion policies might impact miscarriage management. Mifepristone, one of the two medications required for a medication abortion, and aspiration procedures are tools used in miscarriage management. Over 70% of providers surveyed used either procedure.

In states with abortion bans, roughly 6% of clinicians do not understand their state abortion policy well. An additional 26% only had a partial understanding of their abortion restrictions. States with gestational restrictions had even more confusion surrounding their policy, with 9% of respondents having little to no knowledge of the policy and 46% only have a partial understanding.

 “These policies place additional demand on clinicians providing abortions in states where abortion is still available under most circumstances, but the share of OBGYNs that offer abortion services has not increased,” noted researchers in the survey.

“Additionally, there has already been a decline in medical students applying to residencies in states where abortion is banned because they cannot receive the full spectrum of training. Over time, this could leave large parts of the country with shortages of trained OBGYNs that will affect not only abortion services but also other pregnancy-related services.”