ERIC Number: EJ1463616
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2329-5724
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
The Impact of New Abortion Restrictions on Medical Students: A Qualitative Study of Responses to Texas Senate Bill 8
Emily Broaddus; Mara Buchbinder; Anne Lyerly
Texas Education Review, v13 n1 p50-63 2025
On September 1, 2021, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 8 (SB8), prohibiting abortions after six weeks gestation and allowing private citizens to file lawsuits against anyone who either performs or "aids and abets" an abortion after this point. To understand the broad impacts of SB8 on Texas medical students' experiences and career plans, we conducted a pilot study with 7 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with medical students after SB8 went into effect. Participants reported negative attitudes towards the law and limited opportunities for didactic and clinical exposure to abortion care. Participants noted conflicts between competing desires for comprehensive training and a commitment to serve their Texas community. Most discussed leaving Texas. Restrictive abortion laws impact medical students' decisions about training location, access to comprehensive medical education, and contribute to stress and associated burnout. Better understanding the impact of such laws on medical students is critical to support their medical training experience and for the future of reproductive health care access across the U.S.
Descriptors: Medical Students, Medical Education, Pregnancy, Contraception, State Policy, State Legislation, Court Litigation, Student Attitudes, Negative Attitudes, Clinical Experience, Barriers, Access to Health Care, Career Choice, Career Pathways, Coping
Texas Education Review. Available from: University of Texas at Austin, George I. Sanchez Building, 1912 Speedway, Austin, TX 78705. Tel: 512-471-7551; Fax: 512-471-5975; e-mail: txedreview@utexas.edu; Web site: https://review.education.utexas.edu/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A