Experiences of reproductive genetic counselors with abortion regulations in Ohio

Abstract

Since 2010, Ohio legislators have passed more than 15 legislative changes related to abortion and abortion providers, and nine procedural abortion clinics have closed.We investigated reproductive genetic counselors' perceptions, attitudes and selfreported practices regarding Ohio's current and proposed abortion regulations. We conducted five focus groups and two telephone interviews in 2019-2020, with a total of 19 reproductive genetic counselors. Participants discussed difficulties keeping current on abortion legislation and clinics' and hospitals' policies, resulting in anticipatory anxiety and leading to additional work to discuss the laws with patients.Participants articulated that practices of reproductive genetic counseling-and patient advocacy-are impeded by the legislation. Genetic counselors perceive negative impacts on patients' autonomy, particularly reflective of healthcare disparities of marginalized groups, which may contribute to frustration and anger. Ultimately, the mental and emotional burden on genetic counselors created by abortion legislation contributes to compassion fatigue and burnout. Our findings show that Ohio's abortion regulations negatively impact reproductive genetic counselors and their relationships with their patients. Repealing existing abortion regulations and preventing future restrictive legislation may ameliorate the negative effects of regulations on reproductive genetic counselors and their patients. In the event that these laws remain, innovative communication tools and proactive professional society advocacy are potential means to mitigate the negative impact on reproductive genetic counselors.

Ohio Abortion Regulations and Ethical Dilemmas for Obstetrician–Gynecologists

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The double-edged sword of abortion regulations: Decreasing training opportunities while increasing knowledge requirements

“…Because little is known about the extent to which abortion-clinic adjacent healthcare professionals experience abortion regulations, and to generate conversation about the specific pieces of legislation that impacted their work, the study moderator gave participants a legislative timeline describing state abortion laws that were enacted, enjoined, or proposed in Ohio between 2011 and 2019[ 25 ]. After acquiring verbal consent to participate in the study, we asked participants to review the timeline and discuss which pieces of legislation had impact on their professional practice.…”

ASCO Ethical Guidance for the US Oncology Community Where Reproductive Health Care Is Limited by Law

“…35 Clinicians in other states with emerging bans have reported compromised patient safety and poorer clinician mental health. 36 Obstetricians and gynecologists report undermined autonomy, decreased meaningfulness at work, and decreased professional and personal well-being. 37 More concerning, these clinicians point out that the framing of antiabortion legislation is in line with long-standing efforts by opponents of abortion to divide the medical community, with those who provide abortion care being presented as a separate community from the regular medical community, and that such providers should be ostracized and criminalized.…”