Abortion counselling according to healthcare providers: A qualitative study in the Lisbon metropolitan area, Portugal

Abstract

Objective To gain a deeper understanding of healthcare providers' perceptions on the abortion counselling they provide and its usefulness.

Method We conducted in-depth interviews with 16 healthcare providers working in the Lisbon metropolitan area. The interviews were then subjected to content analysis.

Results We identified the following themes on abortion counselling description: receiving the woman and understanding her request; providing information; supporting decision-making; managing emotional and psychological issues; addressing contraception; managing third-party involvement; offering psychological counselling; informing about the State's support and offering social counselling. All participants described counselling as useful but valued different aspects of it: information provision; addressing contraception to prevent future unplanned pregnancy/abortion; emotional support; decision-making support; addressing emotional issues beyond abortion; enticing women to seek healthcare in the future; preventing poor emotional post-abortion adjustment. Counselling was considered of no use to change the woman's abortion decision.

Conclusion The abortion counselling provided in Portugal is in tune with the latest literature on the subject, following a client-centred approach focused on the provision of information and emotional support. It can be improved, however, particularly in what concerns the staff's communication and counselling skills. Further research is needed to improve the provision of abortion care in Portugal.

KEYWORDS:

• Abortion
• Counselling
• Healthcare providers
• Portugal
• Content analysis

acknowledgements

We acknowledge with gratitude Constança Carvalho for her help in the final editing of this paper and Amarília Cabaços for reviewing its English translation.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interests. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.