Physicians, abortion provision and the legitimacy paradox

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Sociology of Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Physicians providing abortion care experience significant stigma, harassment, and violence.
• This hostility discourages open discussion of abortion provision within the medical community.
• A cycle of silence and stigma contributes to the marginalization of abortion providers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and define the

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of provider experiences.
• Theoretical framework development.

Main Results:

• A

Conclusions:

• The legitimacy paradox negatively impacts abortion provider recruitment and retention.
• Addressing this paradox is crucial for improving women's access to abortion care.
• The paradox has implications for legal and policy frameworks surrounding abortion.