JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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As determined by the Center for Disease Control's epidemiologic surveillance of abortion mortality, the death-to-case rate for legal abortion in the United States for the three years 1972 to 1974 was 3.9/100,000 procedures. This mortality compares favorably with that from other commonly performed surgical procedures. ⋯ Duration of pregnancy proved to be the most important determinant of risk. Compared to mortality from pregnancy and childbirth, legal abortion in the first trimester was almost nine times safer.
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Psychological barriers in the minds of the failing physician, his family, and colleagues may thwart prevention of physician-suicide. The failing physician may be shunned by colleagues for his disturbed behavior. He denies illness, resorts to self-medication, and avoids treatment. ⋯ Treatment also may be impeded by the failing physician's reluctance to form a therapeutic relationship with the treating psychiatrist. The psychiatrist must help his doctor-patient to determine if he should continue practicing. The key to successful intervention may depend solely on our awareness and handling of these problems.