Perspectives on Interpersonal Care Among People Who Obtain Abortions Through Clinical and Accompaniment Models in Argentina

Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about how people who obtain abortion services perceive quality and what aspects of interpersonal care matter to them. This qualitative study aimed to understand preferences among people seeking abortions at a reproductive health clinic and an accompaniment model of self-managed abortion in Argentina. Study Design: We conducted 24 in-depth interviews with people who obtained abortion care in Neuquén and Buenos Aires, Argentina. We iteratively coded transcripts using a thematic analysis approach based on interpersonal domains present in current quality of care frameworks. Results Participants described high-quality abortion care as feeling acompañamiento and contención from their providers – terms that imply receiving kind, caring, compassionate and emotionally supportive care throughout their abortions. They described four key elements of interpersonal interactions: attentive communication from providers and accompaniers, clear and understandable information provision, non-judgmental support, and individualized options for pain management. Conclusions People obtaining abortions in two distinct models of care in Argentina consistently identified receiving compassionate and supportive care throughout an abortion as a key aspect of care. The findings have implications for incorporating client perspectives in the development of care guidelines, training of providers, and monitoring and improving of services. This is particularly important as the government of Argentina prepares to expand legal access to abortion.

Factors influencing abortion decisions, delays, and experiences with abortion accompaniment in Mexico among women living outside Mexico City: results from a cross-sectional study

“…Participants had positive experiences with Fondo Maria, adding to the existing evidence that abortion accompaniment is a well-received model of support for people seeking care in contexts with limited availability of legal abortion services. 18 , 26 , 33 , 34 …”