The effect of training on the provision of elective abortion: a survey of five residency programs.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the correlation of residency abortion training and other variables with abortion provision.


METHODS
We surveyed obstetrician-gynecologists who graduated from five residency programs. Subjects were asked about demographic characteristics, residency abortion training, and abortion provision. We used a logistic regression model that included all variables that were correlated significantly with abortion provision in univariate analyses.


RESULTS
Of 161 physicians (61%) who responded, 131 physicians (83%) participated in abortion training. Seventy-six physicians (47%) provided abortions currently, and 95 physicians (58%) had provided abortions at some time since residency. Three variables were independently, positively correlated with abortion provision: the number of abortions that were performed during residency, the gestational age limit of abortion training, and urban practice. Negatively correlated with provision were membership in a restrictive practice and training outside the teaching hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
Variables that were indicative of more extensive residency abortion training were associated positively with the current provision of abortion.
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Avenue, Ward 6D, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA. steinauerj@obgyn.ucsf.edu
Jody E
JE
Steinauer
Uta
U
Landy
Rebecca A
RA
Jackson
Philip D
PD
Darney
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012495:San Francisco