Making it legal: Abortion providers' knowledge and use of abortion law in New South Wales and Queensland

Abstract

Objectives To explore the knowledge of state abortion law of doctors providing abortion in New South Wales and Queensland, their attitudes towards this law, and their application of both knowledge and attitudes to their day-to-day practice of abortion. Design and participants Qualitative study using interviews of twenty-two medical practitioners agreeing to participate and identified as providing surgical and/or medical abortions in NSW or Queensland. Specific questions about practice as well as responses to ten common clinical scenarios formed the basis of each interview. Main outcome measures Familiarity of participants with abortion law of their state, documentation of views on legality a..