Reproductive health services in rural Washington State: scope of practice and provision of medical abortions, 1996-1997.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored reproductive health care in rural Washington State, reasons given by providers for not offering abortions, and providers' willingness to use medical abortifacients.


METHODS
Physicians, midwives, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in rural Washington completed an inventory of reproductive health services that they provide, whether and why they do not perform abortions, and whether they would use medical abortifacients.


RESULTS
Of the respondents, 89.2% reported providing reproductive health care. Only 1.2% reported performing surgical abortions, and 26.1% indicated that they would probably prescribe medical abortifacients.


CONCLUSIONS
Few providers offer surgical abortions in rural Washington. Greater numbers report a willingness to prescribe medical abortifacients.
Dobie
S A
SA
Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-6390, USA. dob@u.washington.edu
Rosenblatt
R A
RA
Glusker
A
A
Madigan
D
D
Hart
L G
LG
D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000029:Abortion, Legal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D014861:Washington; D000078329:Workforce
D000019:Abortifacient Agents