Reproductive wealth services in rural Washington state: Scope of practice and provision of medical abortions, 1996-1997

Objectives. This study explored reproductive health care in rural Washingto n State, reasons given by providers for not offering abortions, and provide rs' willingness to use medical abortifacients. Methods. Physicians, midwives, nurse practitioners, and physician assistant s in rural Washington completed an inventory of reproductive health service s that they provide, whether and MIS they do not perform abortions, and whe ther they would use medical abortifacients. Results Of the respondents, 89.2% reported providing reproductive health ca re. Only 1.2% reported performing surgical abortions, and 26.1% indicated t hat they would probably prescribe medical abortifacients. Conclusions. Few providers offer surgical abortions in rural Washington. Gr eater numbers report a willingness to prescribe medical abortifacients.