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American Journal of Public Health logoLink to American Journal of Public Health
. 1986 May;76(5):550–554. doi: 10.2105/ajph.76.5.550

Comparison of complication rates in first trimester abortions performed by physician assistants and physicians.

M A Freedman, D A Jillson, R R Coffin, L F Novick
PMCID: PMC1646611  PMID: 2870654

Abstract

The outcomes of 2,458 first trimester abortions performed in a freestanding clinic in Vermont were studied. Procedures were performed by physician assistants and by physicians. Demographic information, medical history, and data relevant to the abortion were recorded. Both immediate and delayed (up to four weeks post-abortion) complications were noted. Direct follow-up four weeks after the procedure by clinic visit, letter, or telephone contact was achieved for 96 per cent all patients. An overall rate of 29.1 complications per 1,000 procedures was observed, with a rate of 27.4 for abortions performed by physician assistants and 30.8 for physicians. The incidence of immediate complications was 6.1 per 1,000 procedures; delayed complication incidence was 23.2 per 1,000 procedures. Overall complication rates varied according to operative procedure used.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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