Predictors of pregnancy options counseling and abortion referrals in U.S. primary care physicians

[fnr]

Here is an abstract of a study published in the journal Contraception: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2016.07.044

Primary author from the Harvard TH Chas School of Public Health

PREDICTORS OF PREGNANCY OPTIONS COUNSELING AND ABORTION REFERRALS OR DISSUASION AMONG UNITED STATES PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS: RESULTS FROM A NATIONAL SURVEY

Holt K, Janiak E, McCormick MC, Lieberman E, Dehlendorf C, Kajeepeta S, Caglia JM, Langer A

Objectives: Primary care physicians (PCPs) can play a critical role in addressing unintended pregnancy by providing high-quality options counseling and referrals. However, little is known about options counseling, abortion referrals, and abortion dissuasion among US PCPs.

Methods: We surveyed a nationally representative sample of 3000 PCPs with specialties in family, general, or internal medicine randomly selected from the American Medical Association’s Physician Master file in 2014–2015. Analyses were weighted to account for sampling design and differential nonresponse. Predictors of routine options counseling (offering to discuss abortion, adoption and parenting), abortion referrals and abortion dissuasion were assessed through multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Training breakdown among respondents was 50.9% family medicine, 44.5% internal medicine and 4.7% other (response rate=29%). Family physicians were more likely to provide routine options counseling than others (OR=2.0, p<0.01). Factors associated with routine abortion referrals were more years in practice (OR=1.03 per year, p<0.05), being female versus male (OR=2.13, p<0.01) and practicing in a hospital versus private primary care/ multispecialty setting (OR=3.17, p<0.05). Lower odds of routine abortion referrals were seen among physicians in practices with Catholic and other religious affiliations versus no affiliation (OR=0.27, p<0.01; 0.36, p<0.05). Personal Christian religious affiliation among those who attend services twice/month or more versus no religious affiliation was associated with lower oddsof options counseling (OR=0.47, p<0.05) and abortion referrals (OR=0.31, p<0.01) and higher odds of attempting to dissuade women from abortion (OR=4.17, p<0.01).

Conclusions: Findings suggest intervention areas to support fuller integration of options counseling and abortion referrals into primary care by targeting PCPs who are the least likely to provide these services.

 

[JimG]

"Conclusions: Findings suggest intervention areas to support fuller integration of options counseling and abortion referrals into primary care by targeting PCPs who are the least likely to provide these services. "

Sounds like primary care physicians who do not refer for abortion will begin to find themselves “targeted” to do so. Big Brother is watching.

 

[Wesrock]

Conclusions: Findings suggest intervention areas to support fuller integration of options counseling and abortion referrals into primary care by targeting PCPs who are the least likely to provide these services.

:tsktsk:

 

[MaryT777]

"Conclusions: Findings suggest intervention areas to support fuller integration of options counseling and abortion referrals into primary care by targeting PCPs who are the least likely to provide these services. "

Sounds like primary care physicians who do not refer for abortion will begin to find themselves “targeted” to do so. Big Brother is watching.

I agree.

 

[Hockeygurl]

Physicians MUST (legally and ethically) then refer to someone who will refer for an abortion if this is what the patient wishes. You are not allowed just to say Nope, cant help you. You must refer them to another physician who can provide the services the patient is requesting. It’s a standard of care.