The experience of Italian nurses and midwives in the termination of pregnancy: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to provide insight into the experiences of nurses and midwives working in the Italian abortion service.

Methods: Study participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between July and September 2016, among 22 nurses and two midwives working in five abortion services in Milan, Italy. Transcripts of interviews were analysed using a phenomenological approach to data analysis.

Results: Five main themes emerged from the analysis: (a) coping with caring for women undergoing a termination of pregnancy; (b) improving professional training; (c) approaching work in a mechanistic way as a means of overcoming difficulties; (4) performing medical abortions; (d) recounting an experience.

Conclusions: This first study about assisting with pregnancy termination in Italy may enable critical comparison with studies carried out in other countries. Both nurses and midwives suggested strategies, which may improve the provision of care: collaboration between primary and tertiary care, continuous training, multidisciplinary collaboration, increase of staff turnover and being kept abreast of new pharmaceutical products. Our findings are applicable to wider medical practice.

Chinese abstract

目的：本研究目的是为了分享在意大利流产后服务工作中护士和助产士的经验。方法：通过抽样方法招募研究参与者。对2016年7月至9月期间在意大利米兰进行过5次流产后服务的22名护士和2名助产士进行半结构式访谈。采用现象学方法分析采访记录。结果：分析中包括5个主题：（a）对进行人工流产妇女进行关爱, （b）改善专业技能, （c）采用机械操作作为克服困难的手段, （4）开展药物流产, （d）分享经验。结论：这是第一项在意大利开展的关于辅助终止妊娠的研究, 该研究可能可以会与其他国家的研究进行比较。护士和助产士都提出了策略, 这可以改善护理策略：加强初级和三级护理间的协作, 持续培训、多学科协作、增加员工流动率和对新药品的了解。我们的研究发现适用于更加广泛的医疗实践。

Keywords:

• Abortion
• qualitative study
• termination of pregnancy

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.