Patient Perspectives on Accessing Medication Abortion at a Family Medicine-Led Community Health Center: An Opportunity for Person-Centered Care.

Abstract

Objective: To explore how patients who received care for early pregnancy loss (EPL) at a family medicine-led federally qualified health center (FQHC) felt about hypothetical access to medication abortion at the clinic.

Study design: We elicited patient perspectives on hypothetical access to medication abortion from their primary care provider via semistructured phone interviews with patients treated for EPL at one FQHC in Illinois that was using mifepristone for EPL but not abortion. The transcripts were coded using Atlas.ti and analyzed inductively. Participant demographics, including age, race, ethnicity, religion, obstetrical history, and EPL management route (expectant, medical, procedural) were collected.

Results: We interviewed 16 patients from June to December 2022. Participants felt that offering medication abortion in the primary care setting is an opportunity for person-centered care, specifically that the primary care clinic was well equipped to provide safe, accessible care from trusted providers who respect patient autonomy. They expressed a range of feelings about abortion and, regardless of personal abortion attitude, believed that medication abortion should be offered in the primary care setting.

Conclusions: Patients receiving care for EPL at a family medicine-led FQHC expressed a range of personal views about abortion but commonly supported offering medication abortion at their clinic.