BACKGROUND: The objective of this analysis was to assess the second-trimester surgical abortion practices of National Abortion Federation (NAF) members in North America and Australia. STUDY DESIGN: In 2002, questionnaires were mailed to 364 active member clinics of NAF for completion by their clinic administrators and individual providers. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-nine (79%) clinics responded. Most NAF clinics (72%) offer second-trimester abortion services. The majority of second-trimester providers are obstetrician/gynecologists (63%), male (62%) and at least 50 years old (63%). We describe second-trimester surgical abortion practices in terms of patient eligibility, cervical ripening, ultrasound use, anesthesia and postoperative care. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical techniques and postoperative practices for second-trimester abortions are similar among these respondents, suggesting that NAF's efforts to promulgate best practices using evidence-based guidelines are succeeding. The aging of skilled practitioners raises concerns about the future availability of second-trimester abortion.
BACKGROUND: The objective of this analysis was to assess the second-trimester surgical abortion practices of National Abortion Federation (NAF) members in North America and Australia. STUDY DESIGN: In 2002, questionnaires were mailed to 364 active member clinics of NAF for completion by their clinic administrators and individual providers. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-nine (79%) clinics responded. Most NAF clinics (72%) offer second-trimester abortion services. The majority of second-trimester providers are obstetrician/gynecologists (63%), male (62%) and at least 50 years old (63%). We describe second-trimester surgical abortion practices in terms of patient eligibility, cervical ripening, ultrasound use, anesthesia and postoperative care. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical techniques and postoperative practices for second-trimester abortions are similar among these respondents, suggesting that NAF's efforts to promulgate best practices using evidence-based guidelines are succeeding. The aging of skilled practitioners raises concerns about the future availability of second-trimester abortion.
Authors: Wendy V Norman; Edith R Guilbert; Christopher Okpaleke; Althea S Hayden; E Steven Lichtenberg; Maureen Paul; Katharine O'Connell White; Heidi E Jones Journal: Can Fam Physician Date: 2016-04 Impact factor: 3.275
Authors: Ushma D Upadhyay; Katrina Kimport; Elise K O Belusa; Nicole E Johns; Douglas W Laube; Sarah C M Roberts Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-07-26 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Heidi E Jones; Katharine O'Connell White; Wendy V Norman; Edith Guilbert; E Steve Lichtenberg; Maureen Paul Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-10-12 Impact factor: 3.240