In light of the recent US Supreme Court decision concerning abortion, this book assumes great practical importance. Most physicians have little experience in the termination of pregnancy. Hospitals are not organized to provide surgical services for large numbers of essentially healthy women. In this small volume, the authors describe their experience in operating an outpatient abortion service founded in response to the liberalization of the New York abortion statute.
This book presents a radical departure from the traditional patterns of health care delivery. Abortion, a solution to unwanted pregnancy, is viewed as an isolated disease process, treated without hospital admission; surgery is performed without general anesthesia. Private practitioners are encouraged to refer their patients to clinic physicians who in turn delegate counseling and family planning education to paramedical personnel—all this on the stated basis of economy, safety, and efficiency.
The authors have written an excellent "how-to" book. Detailed descriptions of