U.S. Abortion Care Providers' Perspectives on Self-Managed Abortion. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baldwin, Aleta; Johnson, Dana M.; Broussard, Kathleen; Tello-Pérez, Luisa Alejandra; Madera, Melissa; Ze-Noah, Carol; Padron, Elisa; Aiken, Abigail R. A.
• Is Part Of: Qualitative health research. Volume 32:Number 5(2022)
• Page Start: 788
• Page End: 799
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: self-managed abortion -- self-induced abortion -- medication abortion -- healthcare providers -- qualitative research; Health -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Periodicals; Health -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 610.7205
• DOI: 10.1177/10497323221077296
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-7323

Abstract

State-level restrictions on abortion access may prompt greater numbers of people to self-manage their abortion. The few studies exploring perspectives of providers towards self-managed abortion are focused on physicians and advanced practice clinicians. Little is known about the wider spectrum of abortion care providers who encounter self-managed abortion in their clinic-based work. To gain a deeper understanding of this issue and inform future care delivery, we conducted in-depth interviews with 46 individuals working in a range of positions in 46 abortion clinics across 29 states. Our interpretative analysis resulted in themes shaped by beliefs about safety and autonomy, and a tension between the two: that self-managed abortion is too great a risk, that people are capable of self-managing an abortion, and that people have a right to a self-managed abortion. Our findings highlight the importance of increasing knowledge and clarifying values among all abortion care providers, including clinic staff.