Physician assistants as providers of surgically induced abortion services

M.B. Goldman, J.S. Occhiuto, L.E. Peterson, J.G. Zapka and R.H. Palmer

American Journal of Public Health, 2004, vol. 94, issue 8, 1352-1357

Abstract: Objectives. We compared complication rates after surgical abortions performed by physician assistants with rates after abortions performed by physicians. Methods. A 2-year prospective cohort study of women undergoing surgically induced abortion was conducted. Ninety-one percent of eligible women (1363) were enrolled. Results. Total complication rates were 22.0 per 1000 procedures (95% confidence interval [CI] = 11.9, 39.2) performed by physician assistants and 23.3 per 1000 procedures (95% CI = 14.5, 36.8) performed by physicians (P = .88). The most common complication that occurred during physician assistant-performed procedures was incomplete abortion; during physician-performed procedures the most common complication was infection not requiring hospitalization. A history of pelvic inflammatory disease was associated with an increased risk of total complications (odds ratio = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.1, 4.1). Conclusions. Surgical abortion services provided by experienced physician assistants were comparable in safety and efficacy to those provided by physicians.

Date: 2004
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2004:94:8:1352-1357_8

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