Views of healthcare professionals dealing with legal termination of pregnancy up to 12 WA in French-speaking Switzerland

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In 2002, by popular vote, Swiss citizens accepted to legalise termination of pregnancy (TOP), up to the 12th week of amenorrhoea (WA). As a result, the cantons formulated rules of application. In 2002, medical TOP was authorised. Health institutions then had to modify their procedures and practices. QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY/PRINCIPLES: What are the views of healthcare professionals on the modifications of procedures and practices implemented in French-speaking Switzerland? METHODS: Qualitative method: in-depth interviews with 77 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and midwives, and sexual and reproductive health social workers. Voluntary participation. Thematic analysis with content analysis software. RESULTS: Most professionals have a balanced point of view on their practices. There is no point of view specific to each different category of professionals interviewed. They are unanimous on the elimination of the need for a second opinion. The points of view diverge on the usefulness of imposed waiting time to think before TOP, minors' access to TOP without parental consent, access to medical TOP and the right to refuse to practice TOP for personal reasons in public hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The professionals do not question women's right to have TOP up to 12 WA, but they do diverge over procedures and practices. Institutional and cantonal cultures are probably behind these differences.