NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – New data shows the number of doctors being selected for obstetrics and gynecology training here in Tennessee has declined since the abortion ban was passed. News 2 spoke to researchers who said the ban is scaring doctors.
“Year after year, we are amazed at the magnitude of it,” said Dr. Atul Grover, executive director of AAMC's Institute for Research and Action.
Glover said new data shows the number of doctors seeking obstetrics and gynecology residency training here in Tennessee has decreased by 21% since the state's abortion ban was passed.
“We also have great programs like Vanderbilt and Meharry. At East Tennessee State and the University of Tennessee, we have seen an almost 21% decrease, or 175 fewer applicants, for Tennessee obstetrics and gynecology residency programs compared to last year.” , which was already down 132 people the previous year,” Glover said. “States with abortion bans have seen a significant drop in applications to training programs.”
It's not just Tennessee. The 14 states that ban abortion have also seen similar declines in residency applications, according to the data.
“As obstetricians and gynecologists, this is what we expected,” said Dr. Laura Andreson.
Andreson is an obstetrician-gynecologist in Middle Tennessee. Her abortion ban motivated her to run for state legislature. She wonders if the ban is forcing experienced doctors into retirement, scaring younger doctors away from practicing in Tennessee and ultimately having a negative impact on patient care across the state. is concerned.
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“We are seeing OB deserts across the state of Tennessee. We have vast areas without readily available OB providers, and by displacing more people and not being able to bring in new people, the It's only going to get worse,” Andreson said.
News 2 reached out to several groups supporting Tennessee's ban but did not receive a response.