Future abortion provision among US graduating obstetrics and gynecology residents, 2004

Background

This study was conducted to identify characteristics associated with US obstetric and gynecology graduating residents' intention to provide pregnancy termination services in their clinical practice.

Study Design

In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed all 1148 fourth-year residents in obstetrics and gynecology graduating from US training programs in 2004.

Results

Of 494 respondents, 187 (39%) planned to perform elective abortions after residency. In multivariable analysis controlling for various factors, the following were independently associated with plans to perform pregnancy termination in the future: pre-residency intentions to provide pregnancy termination [odds ratio (OR), 10; 95% confidence interval (CI), 5.3–18.9; p<.001], performing more than 50 first-trimester abortions during residency (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.3–19.6; p=.02) and plans to enter academic practice (OR, 2.5; 95% CI 1.1–6.2; p=.04).

Conclusions

Intentions before residency to provide pregnancy termination services was the strongest predictor of future abortion provision.