RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Medical Abortion: Outcomes in a Family Medicine Setting
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 509
OP 513
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2010.04.090229
VO 23
IS 4
A1 Linda Prine
A1 Caitlin Shannon
A1 Ginger Gillespie
A1 William A. Crowden
A1 Jennifer Fortin
A1 Michelle Howe
A1 Ilana Dzuba
YR 2010
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/23/4/509.abstract
AB Purpose: To compare outcomes of early medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol in a family medicine setting and specialized reproductive health clinics.Methods: This study used data collected from a prospective, open-label, randomized trial of oral versus buccal misoprostol efficacy. A secondary analysis was performed, evaluating efficacy, acceptability, and interventions after medication at the family medicine site compared with the 6 specialized reproductive health sites.Results: Comparing data from patients in the family medicine setting (n = 116) to specialized reproductive health sites (n = 731) revealed no difference in overall efficacy (95.7% vs 93.4%; P = .351). The family medicine site used a second dose of misoprostol more frequently than the other sites (6.9% vs 2.5%; P = .018). In addition, uterine aspiration after medical abortion at the family medicine site was not used for “medically necessary” reasons whereas reproductive health clinics used it 2.6% of the time (marginally significant; P = .094). Patient satisfaction at family medicine sites was comparable to the other sites (91.2% vs 92.0%; P = .792).Conclusion: Medical abortion has similar efficacy and patient satisfaction when offered in a family medicine practice or at a reproductive health specialty clinic. These findings should reassure family physicians that medical abortion can be offered safely in their practices.