U.S. Abortion Care Providers' Perspectives on Self-Managed Abortion

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Sociology of Health and Illness
• Healthcare Provider Education

Background:

• Increasing state-level restrictions on abortion access may lead to a rise in self-managed abortions.
• Existing research on provider perspectives primarily focuses on physicians and advanced practice clinicians, neglecting other clinic staff.
• Understanding the views of a wider range of abortion care providers is crucial for adapting to evolving abortion landscapes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perspectives of diverse abortion clinic staff regarding self-managed abortion.
• To identify key themes and tensions influencing provider views on self-managed abortion.
• To inform future healthcare delivery and support for individuals seeking or managing abortions.

Main Methods:

• Conducted in-depth interviews with 46 individuals across various roles in 46 abortion clinics.
• Included participants from 29 states, representing a broad spectrum of abortion care providers.
• Utilized interpretative analysis to identify emergent themes from qualitative data.

Main Results:

• Identified core themes centered on the perceived safety of self-managed abortion versus patient autonomy.
• Revealed a tension between concerns about risk and the belief in individuals' capability and right to self-manage abortion.
• Highlighted varying opinions among clinic staff regarding the feasibility and safety of self-managed abortion.

Conclusions:

• Emphasizes the need for comprehensive knowledge and value clarification among all abortion care providers, including non-clinical staff.
• Suggests that a deeper understanding of diverse provider perspectives is essential for supporting self-managed abortion care.
• Underscores the importance of addressing provider beliefs about safety and autonomy to improve care delivery in the context of restricted access.