Provision of medication and procedural abortion among Massachusetts obstetrician-gynecologists.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to understand the rates of first-trimester medication and procedural abortion provision, sufficiency in abortion training, and factors associated with abortion provision among obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) in Massachusetts.

Study Design: Electronically fielded surveys of a census of OB/GYNs in Massachusetts in 2021 queried physicians on abortion provision, training, practice type, and demographics. Using weighting to account for nonresponse, we generated estimates of the proportion of OB/GYNS providing abortion and used multivariate regression analysis to explore factors associated with abortion provision including practice type, physician sex, and sufficient abortion training.

Development, Implementation, and Formative Evaluation of a Social Needs Screening Tool.

We aim to develop and formatively evaluate a brief social needs screening tool that adheres to Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) clinical service standards for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) agencies and is acceptable and feasible for use by staff during a clinical encounter. Through a multi-stage literature and expert review process, we developed an evidence-informed, two-page social needs screening tool, scoring form, and implementation guide. We piloted this tool at three SRH agencies in Massachusetts and recruited staff to provide quantitative and qualitative feedback through post-pilot test self-reported surveys and semi-structured interviews.

Spatial Disparities in Mifepristone Use for Early Miscarriage and Induced Abortion Among Obstetrician-Gynecologists Practicing in Massachusetts.

Background: About 25% of pregnancies end in early miscarriage or abortion annually in the United States. While mifepristone is part of the most effective medication regimen for miscarriage and abortion, regulatory burdens and legal restrictions limit its provision in obstetric-gynecological practice. The extent of geographic disparities in mifepristone use is unknown.

Abortion Stigma as a Barrier to Mifepristone Use among Obstetrician-Gynecologists in Alabama for Early Pregnancy Loss.

Objectives: The objective of our study was to identify and characterize barriers to mifepristone use among obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) for early pregnancy loss in a southern US state.

Methods: In this qualitative study, we conducted semistructured interviews with 19 OB-GYNs in Alabama who manage early pregnancy loss. The interviews explored participants' knowledge of and experience with mifepristone use for miscarriage management and abortion, along with barriers to and facilitators of clinical mifepristone use.