Australian attitudes to early and late abortion

Crespigny, Lachlan J de; Wilkinson, Dominic; Douglas, Thomas; Textor, Mark; Savulescu, Julian

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2010.tb03732.x

Cited by 17 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(14 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Despite the different jurisdictional legislation, Australians are mostly supportive of the provision of abortion including medical abortion [16, 17]. Traditionally GPs have had a minor role in the provision of abortion care services.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical termination of pregnancy in general practice in Australia: a descriptive-interpretive qualitative study

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundAustralian Government approval in 2012 for the use of mifepristone and misoprostol for medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) allows general practitioners (GPs) to provide early gestation abortion in primary care settings. However, uptake of the MTOP provision by GPs appears to be low and the reasons for this have been unclear. This study investigated the provision of and referral for MTOP by GPs.MethodsWe undertook descriptive-interpretive qualitative research and selected participants for diversity using a matrix. Twenty-eight semi-structured interviews and one focus group (N = 4), were conducted with 32 GPs (8 MTOP providers, 24 non MTOP providers) in New South Wales, Australia. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A framework to examine access to abortion services was used to develop the interview questions and emergent themes identified thematically.ResultsThree main themes emerged: scope of practice; MTOP demand, care and referral; and workforce needs. Many GPs saw abortion as beyond the scope of their practice (i.e. a service others provide in specialist private clinics). Some GPs had religious or moral objections; others regarded MTOP provision as complicated and difficult. While some GPs expressed interest in MTOP provision they were concerned about stigma and the impact it may have on perceptions of their practice and the views of colleagues. Despite a reported variance in demand most MTOP providers were busy but felt isolated. Difficulties in referral to a local public hospital in the case of complications or the provision of surgical abortion were noted.ConclusionsExploring the factors which affect access to MTOP in general practice settings provides insights to assist the future planning and delivery of reproductive health services. This research identifies the need for support to increase the number of MTOP GP providers and for GPs who are currently providing MTOP. Alongside these actions provision in the public sector is required. In addition, formalised referral pathways to the public sector are required to ensure timely care in the case of complications or the provision of surgical options. Leadership and coordination across the health sector is needed to facilitate integrated abortion care particularly for rural and low income women.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical termination of pregnancy in general practice in Australia: a descriptive-interpretive qualitative study

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The Australian public including health professionals are largely supportive of the provision of abortion [ 19 , 20 ] and its decriminalization [ 21 ]. However, the lack of data and the complex legal and service delivery situation impacts upon access for women seeking an early termination of pregnancy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards comprehensive early abortion service delivery in high income countries: insights for improving universal access to abortion in Australia

Dawson

Bateson

Estoesta

et al. 2016

BMC Health Serv Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundImproving access to safe abortion is an essential strategy in the provision of universal access to reproductive health care. Australians are largely supportive of the provision of abortion and its decriminalization. However, the lack of data and the complex legal and service delivery situation impacts upon access for women seeking an early termination of pregnancy. There are no systematic reviews from a health services perspective to help direct health planners and policy makers to improve access comprehensive medical and early surgical abortion in high income countries. This review therefore aims to identify quality studies of abortion services to provide insight into how access to services can be improved in Australia.MethodsWe undertook a structured search of six bibliographic databases and hand-searching to ascertain peer reviewed primary research in English between 2005 and 2015. Qualitative and quantitative study designs were deemed suitable for inclusion. A deductive content analysis methodology was employed to analyse selected manuscripts based upon a framework we developed to examine access to early abortion services.ResultsThis review identified the dimensions of access to surgical and medical abortion at clinic or hospital-outpatient based abortion services, as well as new service delivery approaches utilising a remote telemedicine approach. A range of factors, mostly from studies in the United Kingdom and United States of America were found to facilitate improved access to abortion, in particular, flexible service delivery approaches that provide women with cost effective options and technology based services. Standards, recommendations and targets were also identified that provided services and providers with guidance regarding the quality of abortion care.ConclusionsKey insights for service delivery in Australia include the: establishment of standards, provision of choice of procedure, improved provider education and training and the expansion of telemedicine for medical abortion. However, to implement such directives leadership is required from Australian medical, nursing, midwifery and pharmacy practitioners, academic faculties and their associated professional associations. In addition, political will is needed to nationally decriminalise abortion and ensure dedicated public provision that is based on comprehensive models tailored for all populations.

show abstract

“…Most early (before 20 weeks' gestation) and late (at 20 or more weeks of gestation) terminations undertaken in Australia are publicly funded at least partly by Medicare . Australian research indicates public and professional support for a woman's right to access abortion . Large numbers of women in NSW and Queensland request this service every year, yet abortion remains a criminal offence in these two states for the woman, the person performing the abortion and any person assisting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women's access to abortion after 20 weeks' gestation for fetal chromosomal abnormalities: Views and experiences of doctors in New South Wales and Queensland

Black

Douglas

Costa

2015

Aust NZ J Obst Gynaeco

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Australian attitudes to early and late abortion

Cited by 17 publications

References 10 publications

Medical termination of pregnancy in general practice in Australia: a descriptive-interpretive qualitative study

Medical termination of pregnancy in general practice in Australia: a descriptive-interpretive qualitative study

Towards comprehensive early abortion service delivery in high income countries: insights for improving universal access to abortion in Australia

Women's access to abortion after 20 weeks' gestation for fetal chromosomal abnormalities: Views and experiences of doctors in New South Wales and Queensland

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About