In the Clinic
8 October 2024

Abortion

Publication: Annals of Internal Medicine
Volume 177, Number 10

Abstract

Induced abortion is safe, is common, and reduces pregnancy-related maternal morbidity and mortality. Internal medicine physicians are uniquely positioned to counsel patients on their pregnancy options, assess medical risks of pregnancy in the context of comorbidities, refer for abortion care when the patient desires it, or provide abortion care themselves. Clinicians can also provide anticipatory guidance about what patients should expect if they seek abortion care.

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Claudio L. Urosa MD FACP Governor 4 November 2024
Respect for human right to life

In this extensive review by Drs. Chuang and Horvath on the different techniques of abortion, as well the epidemiological numbers in the United States, there is not any comment on the ethical aspects regarding ending a pregnancy that is ending a human life. If there is such a great debate in the US regarding abortion for the next presidential election, it is because it implies something as important as the right to life. There is no doubt that from the very first moment of conception a new life is initiated that has to be respected and cared for because she or he cannot defend, feed, or nurture by him or herself. In this review it is mentioned that the "medical "reasons to indicate an abortion represents a very low number of the total amount of millions of abortions done. Yet we know that there are many resources curently that can be offered to those women with high risk pregnancies to care for them and their babies. I think that it is time to go deeper in the medical, biological, philosophical, aspects of the life of the HUMAN embryo or fetus, his or her rights and our duty to care for them.

Cynthia Chuang, MD, MSc 23 December 2024
Author Response to "Respect for Human Right to Life"

Dr. Urosa brings up important philosophical and personal questions related to abortion care that were beyond the scope of our review. Our aim was to present the current medical standards of abortion care. As with all health care practices, patients should only opt for care that is aligned with their own personal beliefs and values. Similarly, clinicians can opt out of providing care for moral or religious reasons, so long as their patients still receive the medical care they need.

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cover image Annals of Internal Medicine
Annals of Internal Medicine
Volume 177Number 10October 2024
Pages: ITC145 - ITC160

History

Published online: 8 October 2024
Published in issue: October 2024

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Affiliations

Cynthia H. Chuang, MD, MSc
Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine; Department of Public Health Sciences; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania (C.H.C.)
Sarah Horvath, MD, MSHP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania (S.H.)
CME Objective: To review current evidence for counseling, evaluation, and referral for abortion care; medication and procedural abortion; effects of abortion on fertility; long-term health effects of induced abortion; and practice improvement for abortion.
Funding Source: American College of Physicians.
Disclosures: All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated. Disclosure forms are available with the article online.
Editors’ Disclosures: The editors have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Individual forms may be viewed at www.annals.org/editorsdisclosures.
With the assistance of additional physician writers, the editors of Annals of Internal Medicine develop In the Clinic using MKSAP and other resources of the American College of Physicians.
In the Clinic does not necessarily represent official ACP clinical policy. For ACP clinical guidelines, please go to www.acponline.org/clinical_information/guidelines.
This article was published at Annals.org on 8 October 2024.

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Cynthia H. Chuang, Sarah Horvath. Abortion. Ann Intern Med.2024;177:ITC145-ITC160. [Epub 8 October 2024]. doi:10.7326/ANNALS-24-01868

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