Predictors of abortion provision among practicing obstetrician-gynecologists: a national survey

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify the factors that predict whether physicians include pregnancy termination in their practices.

Study design: We surveyed all 5055 obstetrician-gynecologists who became board certified between 1998 and 2001 about personal characteristics, career plans, intention to provide abortions before residency, residency training, and current abortion practice.

Results: Of 2149 respondents (43%), 22% had provided elective abortion in the past year. In multivariate analysis controlling for preresidency intentions, personal beliefs, and other variables, the following were independently associated with current abortion provision: completing a residency program with abortion training (odds ratio [OR], 1.6; confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.3; P = .007) and performing a greater number of abortions during residency (>25 abortions: OR, 2.8; CI, 1.9-4.1; P < .001). Factors negatively associated with working in a practice (OR, 0.4; CI, 0.2-0.6; P < .001) or hospital (OR, 0.4; CI, 0.3-0.6; P < .001) that prohibits abortion.

Conclusion: Regardless of intention to provide abortion before residency, abortion training availability was positively correlated with providing abortion in future practice.