Induced abortion - Physician training and practice patterns

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between training in induced abortion during residency and subsequent practice patterns in providing abortion se rvices. STUDY DESIGN: An anonymous survey of all obstetrician-gynecologists with ad mitting privileges at a tertiary care hospital in New England was conducted . Physicians were asked about their residency training experience in perfor ming abortions, current practices and attitudes toward abortion. RESULTS: Ninety-two of 110 physicians (84%) completed the questionnaire. Si x physicians who received training after residency and two with incomplete information were excluded from the analysis. Forty-four respondents receive d training specifically in first-trimester abortion, and 42 did not. Physic ians who received training were more likely to provide abortion services (4 9% vs. 21%, P=.01), to ask patients about their plans for continuing pregna ncy (65% vs. 41%, P=.007) and to support medical assistance funding for abo rtion (84% vs. 45%, P=.001) than were physicians who did not receive traini ng during residency. Beliefs were significantly associated with current pra ctise, even after controlling for differences in residency training in abor tion. CONCLUSION: Differences in practice patterns exist between physicians who r eceive abortion training and those who do not. Practice patterns are associ ated with beliefs even after controlling for variations in training.