Doctors in Training May Forgo Teaching on Abortions

Doctors in training opposed to abortion on moral grounds do not to have to undergo training in the procedure, the medical accreditation council said Friday in clarifying its controversial recommendation earlier in the week.

The council, whose accreditation is needed by teaching hospitals to qualify for federal funding, had recommended that resident gynecologists and obstetricians receive training in abortion procedures, triggering an angry response from pro-life advocates.

“The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s recent recommendation in no way forces or coerces any individual or institution to perform abortion. Any resident who holds any moral or religious objection to abortion is allowed to be excused from the training requirement,” the council’s executive director said in a statement.

But executive director John Gienapp said the uproar led him to clarify the council’s position and assure teaching hospitals who do not perform abortions that residents wishing the training can be sent elsewhere to get it.