AJPH -- eLetters for Goldman et al., 94 (8) 1352-1357

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RESEARCH AND PRACTICE:
Marlene B. Goldman, Jane S. Occhiuto, Laura E. Peterson, Jane G. Zapka, and R. Heather Palmer
Physician Assistants as Providers of Surgically Induced Abortion Services
Am J Public Health 2004; 94: 1352-1357 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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What's best for women?: Sharon A Lieberman (8 August 2004)

What's best for women? 8 August 2004

Sharon A Lieberman,
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Re: What's best for women?

slieberman616{at}aol.com Sharon A Lieberman

Re: Physician Assistants as Providers of Surgically Inducted Abortion Procedures August 2004, Vol.94, No.8, p.1352 While authors Goldman, et al, conclude from their comparative study of physician assistant(PA) and physician (MD) - provided induced abortion services at two different sites that the services were “comparable” in safety and efficacy, I cannot quite see that this is true for women actually seeking a competent provider. The study compared complication rates, which were nearly the same in the aggregate, yet the PA group had a much higher rate of incomplete abortions while the MDs had a much higher rate of post-procedure infections (without hospitalization). Frankly, I would not direct a woman to a provider whose incomplete abortion rate is the most frequent complication. And most of the incompletes were “delayed,” so that a woman had to return to a provider. And it is more than a passing inconvenience: perhaps a woman has to take yet another day off of work, find childcare, travel a distance or even pay once again. Not to mention the realization that the first procedure was not effective. I certainly support the deployment of middle level providers to maintain access to a woman’s right to obtain a safe, legal abortion, but we need to recognize that all complications are not equal for women. Sincerely, Sharon Lieberman, MS .