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Unfit for purpose: a situational analysis of abortion care and gender-based violence

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 14:24 authored by Mainey, L, O'Mullan, C, Kerry Reid-SearlKerry Reid-Searl

Problem: Timely access to comprehensive abortion care is fundamental to reproductive autonomy; however, factors such as geographical location, politics, and religious influences create obstacles to this goal and may have distressing consequences for people seeking abortions in the context of gender-based violence.

Aim: To investigate the broader situational elements of the Australian healthcare environment that affect abortion care for victims of gender-based violence.

Methodology: Situational Analysis was used to conduct this study. The lead author interviewed 18 clinicians about their experiences of providing abortion care in the context of gender-based violence. Transcripts were analysed using situational maps, identifying the human and non-human elements affecting clinical care.

Findings: Participants believed that patients were “mostly uncatered for.” They described a workforce unprepared to provide abortion care, generally, and gender-based violence interventions more specifically. Clinicians found that their pro-life colleagues centred their own needs, and many revealed that the workplace environments placed clinicians’ and patients’ safety at risk. ,

Discussion: While abortion is a safe and straightforward procedure, the interconnectedness of time sensitivity, stigma, shifting legal landscapes, and high rates of gender-based violence mean that it is probably more complex than the current work models plan for. A trauma-informed integrated approach that protects the safety and wellbeing of patients and staff is needed.

Conclusions: Healthcare services should implement streamlined evidence-based and trauma-informed abortion pathways that take full advantage of nurses' and midwives' skills, knowledge, and potential. As a priority, healthcare services should also introduce security measures and protocols to keep staff and patients safe.

History

Publication title

Collegian

Volume

29

Pagination

557–565

ISSN

1322-7696

Department/School

School of Nursing

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Place of publication

Netherlands

Rights statement

© 2022 Australian College of Nursing Ltd.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Evaluation of health outcomes

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