General practitioner experiences in delivering early medical abortion services to women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: A qualitative-descriptive study

Abstract

Background and objectives: General practitioners (GPs) are ideally placed to deliver early medical abortion (EMA), yet little is known about how GPs deliver this care to women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. We explored GP experiences in providing EMA to women from CALD backgrounds and their recommendations for service improvements.

Method: This was a qualitative study involving telephone interviews with 18 Australian GPs who provide EMA to women from CALD backgrounds. Data were thematically analysed using the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation Behaviour model.

Results: GPs experienced challenges in communication and cultural competency when delivering EMA to women from CALD backgrounds due to insufficient training, lack of multilingual resources and difficulties accessing interpreters. In addition, the stigma surrounding abortion and concerns around reproductive coercion made engaging these women challenging.

Discussion: Upskilling GPs in culturally competent care, improving access to multilingual resources and enabling efficient interpreter use can optimise EMA delivery to women from CALD backgrounds.