Abortion attitudes and practices of family and general practice physicians.

BACKGROUND

Approximately 1.5 million abortions are performed each year in the United States. Little information has been published on the abortion attitudes and practices of family physicians. The object of this investigation was to assess the abortion attitudes and practices of family and general practice physicians in Kansas.

METHODS

A 19-item self-administered survey questionnaire was designed and mailed to 856 family and general practice physicians in Kansas.

RESULTS

A 63% survey response rate was obtained. Seventy-eight percent of the physicians reported that abortion should be legal, but only 56% of the respondents classified themselves as pro-choice. Conversely, only 8% reported that legal abortion should not be available, even though 33% classified themselves as pro-life. The majority of physicians reported that abortion is an appropriate option to save the life of the mother, in cases of rape or incest, and when a fetal anomaly is diagnosed. Only three respondents (0.5%) had performed abortions during the previous year. In general, female physicians and physicians over the age of 40 years (regardless of sex) were more likely to be pro-choice and to view a woman's personal decision as a circumstance in which abortion may be appropriate.

CONCLUSIONS

Physician's views about abortion and their practice patterns are important components of health care for thousands of women each day.