Providing Medical Abortion in General Practice: General Practitioner Insights and Tips for Future Providers

Background And Objectives: Medical abortion is safe and effective and, when provided by general practitioners (GPs), can increase access for women. However, little is known about which models Australian GPs use to deliver medical abortion. The aim of this study was to describe GP medical abortion delivery models.

Method: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with GPs providing medical abortion nationwide. Data were transcribed, thematically analysed by two researchers and interpreted using six quality dimensions.

Results: Twenty-five GPs used three medical abortion models in private practice: common, streamlined and ultrasonography-inclusive. The most common model comprised three appointments. Some participants provided medical abortion over 1-2 appointments ('streamlined'), and few provided ultrasonography themselves ('ultrasonography-inclusive'). Clinician networks supported participants and enhanced medical abortion delivery.

Discussion: Using three appointments for delivering medical abortion may be less acceptable and accessible to women than streamlined or ultrasonography-inclusive models. Increased awareness of the alternative medical abortion models may encourage GP medical abortion delivery and increase access for women.