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Faculty have requested this content not be shared outside of the session
CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
AIUM Credit
AIUM Credit
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee
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Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee

Poster Session 4

Category: Education/Simulation

Poster Session 4

(1151) Experiences of L&D Personnel with Values Clarification Workshops Prior to Implementing Induction Abortion Services

Thursday, February 12, 2026
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM  
Objective:
To evaluate the impact of a Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) workshop on labor and delivery (L&D) staff’s perspectives about abortion prior to institutional abortion service expansion to L&D. 

Study Design:
We conducted a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews done after VCAT workshops implemented with 192 L&D healthcare workers at a single urban, community-based, tertiary care center in California. The workshops prompted participants to represent and reflect on diverse abortion viewpoints. 25 nurses, physicians and midwives were interviewed post-workshop (Fig.1). Transcripts were coded and thematically analyzed. 

Results:
Four major themes emerged: (1) VCAT created space for personal reflection and perspective taking. P</span>articipants described how representing others’ views deepened understanding of their own beliefs and fostered empathy. 2) VCAT stimulated reconsideration of professional roles and the purpose of L&D in the context of abortion care. (3) Professional and personal contexts shaped participants’ engagement with the workshop. Factors like compassion fatigue from working in a hospital with many social needs, their or their friends’ abortion experiences and the perceived taboo of talking about abortion at work influenced how participants processed the experience. (4) Respect for autonomy and commitment to patient care emerged as core, shared values, even among those with differing personal beliefs.(Table 1) 

Conclusion:
VCAT workshops provided a structured, safe opportunity for L&D staff to reflect on the complex personal and professional dimensions of abortion care. The process helped participants explore value tensions, clarify their professional roles, and identify shared commitments to patient care. These findings suggest VCAT may be a valuable tool for preparing multidisciplinary perinatal teams to navigate institutional abortion care expansion with empathy, professionalism and cohesion.