METHODS:

Using mail and online recruitment methods, we surveyed clinical faculty at the largest academic medical center in one Midwestern state. On a five-point Likert-type scale (“strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”), physicians responded to five principles adapted directly from widely held RJ tenets.

RESULTS:

913 physicians representing 20 specialties responded (67% response rate). Majorities somewhat or strongly agreed that every woman has the right to parent or not parent a child if she chooses (89%); health systems should ensure that every woman has access to the full range of contraceptives (93%) and abortion (87%); health systems should ensure everyone achieves full autonomy over reproductive decisions (90%) and raises children in safe and healthy environments (96%). Given high reliability (Cronbach alpha=. 85), we collapsed items into a bivariate outcome of support for all five principles vs any opposition. A majority (88%) supported all five principles. Chi-square tests of independence (P<. 05) found that men, physicians over 40 years of age, religious physicians, and those who oppose legal abortion were less likely to support RJ principles.

CONCLUSION:

Physician support for RJ was high but not unanimous. We join the call to incorporate RJ principles into medical curricula and healthcare policy.