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Barriers to Rural Induced Abortion Services in Canada : Findings of the British Columbia Abortion Providers Survey (BCAPS) Norman, Wendy V.; Soon, Judith Alice; Maughn, Nanamma; Dressler, Jennifer
Abstract
Background: Rural induced abortion service has declined in Canada. Factors influencing abortion provision by rural physicians are unknown. This study assessed distribution, practice, and experiences among rural compared to urban abortion providers in the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC). Methods: We used mixed methods to assess physicians on the BC registry of abortion providers. In 2011 we distributed a previously-published questionnaire and conducted semi-structured interviews. Results: Surveys were returned by 39/46 (85%) of BC abortion providers. Half were family physicians, within both rural and urban cohorts. One-quarter (17/67) of rural hospitals offer abortion service. Medical abortions comprised 14.7% of total reported abortions. The three largest urban areas reported 90% of all abortions, although only 57% of reproductive age women reside in the associated health authority regions. Each rural physician provided on average 76 (SD 52) abortions annually, including 35 (SD 30) medical abortions. Rural physicians provided surgical abortions in operating rooms, often using general anaesthesia, while urban physicians provided the same services primarily in ambulatory settings using local anaesthesia. Rural providers reported health system barriers, particularly relating to operating room logistics. Urban providers reported occasional anonymous harassment and violence. Conclusions: Medical abortions represented 15% of all BC abortions, a larger proportion than previously reported (under 4%) for Canada. Rural physicians describe addressable barriers to service provision that may explain the declining accessibility of rural abortion services. Moving rural surgical abortions out of operating rooms and into local ambulatory care settings has the potential to improve care and costs, while reducing logistical challenges facing rural physicians.
Item Metadata
Title |
Barriers to Rural Induced Abortion Services in Canada : Findings of the British Columbia Abortion Providers Survey (BCAPS)
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Creator | |
Contributor | |
Date Issued |
2013-06-28
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Description |
Background: Rural induced abortion service has declined in Canada. Factors influencing abortion provision by rural
physicians are unknown. This study assessed distribution, practice, and experiences among rural compared to urban
abortion providers in the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC).
Methods: We used mixed methods to assess physicians on the BC registry of abortion providers. In 2011 we distributed a
previously-published questionnaire and conducted semi-structured interviews.
Results: Surveys were returned by 39/46 (85%) of BC abortion providers. Half were family physicians, within both rural and
urban cohorts. One-quarter (17/67) of rural hospitals offer abortion service. Medical abortions comprised 14.7% of total
reported abortions. The three largest urban areas reported 90% of all abortions, although only 57% of reproductive age
women reside in the associated health authority regions. Each rural physician provided on average 76 (SD 52) abortions
annually, including 35 (SD 30) medical abortions. Rural physicians provided surgical abortions in operating rooms, often
using general anaesthesia, while urban physicians provided the same services primarily in ambulatory settings using local
anaesthesia. Rural providers reported health system barriers, particularly relating to operating room logistics. Urban
providers reported occasional anonymous harassment and violence.
Conclusions: Medical abortions represented 15% of all BC abortions, a larger proportion than previously reported (under
4%) for Canada. Rural physicians describe addressable barriers to service provision that may explain the declining
accessibility of rural abortion services. Moving rural surgical abortions out of operating rooms and into local ambulatory
care settings has the potential to improve care and costs, while reducing logistical challenges facing rural physicians.
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Genre | |
Type | |
Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2016-09-22
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0314548
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URI | |
Affiliation | |
Citation |
Norman WV, Soon JA, Maughn N., Dressler J. Barriers to Rural Induced Abortion Services in Canada: Findings of the British Columbia Abortions Provider Survey (BCAPS). PLOS One 2013 June 28, 8(6).
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Publisher DOI |
10.1371/journal.pone.0067023
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Peer Review Status |
Reviewed
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Scholarly Level |
Faculty; Other
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Rights URI | |
Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International