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.