Medicine on the margins: perspectives of abortion operating surgeons in southern New Zealand.

AIMS

This research surveys operating surgeon perspectives on their work with a view to providing information relevant to improving access to abortion services.

METHODS

In depth interviews were held with 14 abortion operating surgeons in the southern region. Interviews were transcribed and analysed according to emergent themes.

RESULTS

Operating surgeons reported their work as technically uninteresting but felt an obligation to provide a safe service and derived important satisfaction from helping patients. They valued peer support in the workplace and did not feel isolated from colleagues or lacking professional status. They noted that the introduction of medical abortions would provide opportunities to improve access.

DISCUSSION

Mainstreaming abortions into other gynaecology services might improve the work environment for operating surgeons and training opportunities for doctors. Increased use of medical abortion techniques, may encourage doctors to become operating surgeons and improve access to services in some localities.