How do women seeking abortion choose between surgical and medical abortion? Perspectives from abortion service providers

Newton, Danielle; Bayly, Christine; McNamee, Kathleen; Hardiman, Annamarella; Bismark, Marie; Webster, Amy; Keogh, Louise

doi:10.1111/ajo.12506

Cited by 22 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…We developed a semi-structured interview schedule to explore with experts a range of issues related to abortion provision [22, 35, 36]. For part of the interview, we explored perceptions of Section 8 of the Abortion Law Reform Act and how it was being implemented by health care providers in the Victoria at the time of the interview (2015).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conscientious objection to abortion, the law and its implementation in Victoria, Australia: perspectives of abortion service providers

et al. 2019

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BackgroundIn Victoria, Australia, the law regulating abortion was reformed in 2008, and a clause (‘Section 8’) was introduced requiring doctors with a conscientious objection to abortion to refer women to another provider. This study reports the views of abortion experts on the operation of Section 8 of the Abortion Law Reform Act in Victoria.MethodsNineteen semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with purposively selected Victorian abortion experts in 2015. Interviews explored the impact of abortion law reform on service provision, including the understanding and implementation of Section 8. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.ResultsThe majority of participants described Section 8 as a mechanism to protect women’s right to abortion, rather than a mechanism to protect doctors’ rights. All agreed that most doctors would not let moral or religious beliefs impact on their patients, and yet all could detail negative experiences related to Section 8. The negative experiences arose because doctors had: directly contravened the law by not referring; attempted to make women feel guilty; attempted to delay women’s access; or claimed an objection for reasons other than conscience. Use or misuse of conscientious objection by Government telephone staff, pharmacists, institutions, and political groups was also reported.ConclusionSome doctors are not complying with Section 8, with adverse effects on access to care for some women. Further research is needed to inform strategies for improving compliance with the law in order to facilitate timely access to abortion services.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conscientious objection to abortion, the law and its implementation in Victoria, Australia: perspectives of abortion service providers

et al. 2019

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“…The interview covered participants' experiences providing abortion services, their role in the 2008 law reform, their views of both the intent and outcomes of abortion law reform, and remaining challenges. They were also asked about their experience of medical abortion and their views on the role of general practitioners in provision 19 20. Interviews were conducted by DN, and lasted between 30 minutes and 2 hours; de-identified audio-recordings were transcribed verbatim.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intended and unintended consequences of abortion law reform: perspectives of abortion experts in Victoria, Australia

Keogh

Newton

Bayly

et al. 2016

J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care

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“…The World Health Organization supports the provision of abortion services at primary care level; 35 however, evidence of support for a GP-led abortion service internationally is inconclusive. It has been argued that GPs are ideally placed to provide a community-led abortion service, particularly in rural and regional communities, a view supported by a qualitative study of 15 experts in abortion service provision conducted in Australia, 36 though a descriptive-interpretive qualitative study of 32 Australian GPs found that some saw abortion as beyond the scope of their practice. 37 Some GPs had religious or moral objections; others regarded abortion provision as complicated and difficult, and while some GPs expressed interest in abortion provision, they were concerned about stigma and the impact it may have on perceptions of their practice and the views of colleagues.…”

Section: Comparison With Existing Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge and attitudes of Irish GPs towards abortion following its legalisation: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2019

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BackgroundIn May 2018, the Irish Constitution was changed following a referendum allowing termination of pregnancy by abortion. It is envisaged that the majority of terminations will be by medical abortion and will take place in general practice before 12 weeks gestation.AimTo elicit attitudes and level of preparedness of Irish GPs to provide medical abortion services.Design & settingCross-sectional study of 222 GPs who were associated with the University of Limerick Graduate Entry Medical School (GEMS) and GP training programme.MethodAn anonymous online questionnaire was distributed via email. Reminders were sent 2 and 4 weeks later.ResultsThe response rate was 57.2% (n = 127/222). Of the responders, 105 (82.7%) had no training in this area, with only 4 (3.1%) indicating that they had sufficient training. Nearly all responders (n = 119, 93.7%) were willing to share abortion information with patients. Just under half of responders (n = 61, 48.0%) would be willing to prescribe abortion pills, with 47 (37.0%) unwilling to do so. Only 53 (41.7%) responders believed that provision of abortion services should be part of general practice, with 52 (40.9%) saying that it should not. As to whether doctors should be entitled to a conscientious objection but should also be obliged to refer the patient, 92 (72.4%) responders agreed. Over two-thirds of responders (n = 89, 70.1%) felt that necessary patient support services are not currently available.ConclusionThere is a lack of training and a considerable level of unwillingness to participate in this process among Irish GPs. There is also a perceived lack of patient support services for women experiencing unwanted pregnancy. It is incumbent upon state and professional bodies to address these issues.

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How do women seeking abortion choose between surgical and medical abortion? Perspectives from abortion service providers

Cited by 22 publications

References 19 publications

Conscientious objection to abortion, the law and its implementation in Victoria, Australia: perspectives of abortion service providers

Conscientious objection to abortion, the law and its implementation in Victoria, Australia: perspectives of abortion service providers

Intended and unintended consequences of abortion law reform: perspectives of abortion experts in Victoria, Australia

Knowledge and attitudes of Irish GPs towards abortion following its legalisation: a cross-sectional study

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