Future abortion provision among US graduating obstetrics and gynecology residents, 2004

• Published in: Contraception (Stoneham) Vol. 81; no. 6; pp. 531 - 536
• Main Authors: Allen, Rebecca H, Raker, Christina, Steinauer, Jody, Eastwood, Katherine L, Kacmar, Jennifer E, Boardman, Lori A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-06-2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Abortion, Induced - psychology; Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; Clinical Competence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Culture; Female; Gynecology - education; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Health participants; Humans; Induced abortion; Induced abortion. Therapeutic abortion; Internship and Residency; Male; Medical education; Medical sciences; Obstetrics - education; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Physicians - psychology; Professional Practice - statistics & numerical data; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Refusal to Treat - statistics & numerical data; Residency training; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; United States; North America; America; Medical education; Residency training; Induced abortion; Survey; Attitude; Education; Gynecology; Resident (student); Obstetrics; Occupational training
• ISSN: 0010-7824; 1879-0518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2010.01.001

Abstract Background This study was conducted to identify characteristics associated with US obstetric and gynecology graduating residents' intention to provide pregnancy termination services in their clinical practice. Study Design In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed all 1148 fourth-year residents in obstetrics and gynecology graduating from US training programs in 2004. Results Of 494 respondents, 187 (39%) planned to perform elective abortions after residency. In multivariable analysis controlling for various factors, the following were independently associated with plans to perform pregnancy termination in the future: pre-residency intentions to provide pregnancy termination [odds ratio (OR), 10; 95% confidence interval (CI), 5.3–18.9; p<.001], performing more than 50 first-trimester abortions during residency (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.3–19.6; p=.02) and plans to enter academic practice (OR, 2.5; 95% CI 1.1–6.2; p=.04). Conclusions Intentions before residency to provide pregnancy termination services was the strongest predictor of future abortion provision.