Attitudes of obstetrics and gynecology residents toward abortion participation: a Philadelphia area survey

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the willingness of Philadelphia obstetrics and gynecology residents to participate in three abortion procedures for various fetal conditions. METHODS: Anonymous questionnaires were distributed to 310 residents from 18 programs. The survey asked the residents whether they would participate in first trimester dilatation and evacuation (D&E), second trimester prostaglandin induction or second trimester D&E for the following conditions: lethal fetal anomaly, nonlethal anomaly with certain long-term functional consequences, possible long-term functional consequences, little or no long-term functional consequences and elective abortion of a normal fetus. RESULTS: Of the 148 respondents, the percentage of residents who would participate in a second trimester D&E for each fetal condition was significantly lower than that for a first trimester D&E (p < or = .001). Additionally, for each abortion procedure, the participation rates consistently fell for lesser degrees of fetal severity. Participation was significantly associated with preferences regarding abortion legislation and personal abortion stance. CONCLUSION: Resident attitudes regarding abortion participation were related to severity of the fetal condition, gestational age and procedure type.