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Debate: How much medical supervision do women need to use medical abortion?. Galina Maistruk, MD Coordinator, East European Alliance for Reproductive Choice. Regional perspective on medical supervision:. Legislation framework: In most countries in the region, abortion is legal
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Debate:How much medical supervision do women need to use medical abortion? Galina Maistruk, MD Coordinator, East European Alliance for Reproductive Choice
Regional perspective on medical supervision: • Legislation framework: • In most countries in the region, abortion is legal • Only doctors (Ob/Gyn) can be providers of abortion, including medical one • Can only be provided in the hospital settings
2. Level of education of health care providers: Ob/Gyn: • Basic education in medical university • Post-graduate training (including practical skills development) Other physicians: low knowledge, no practical skills, no possibilities for training Other health care providers (midwifes, nurses): not a part of their responsibility and training
3. Pre- and post-abortion counseling • Quality of the counseling is a key point for the success of medical abortion • At the moment, Ob/Gyn has the best knowledge and skills in counseling, including post-abortion contraception.
4. Second trimester abortion • Usually, Ob/Gyn Council is the final approval body of indications for termination of pregnancy in second trimester and Ob/Gyn are the only possible providers for second trimester abortion
5. Management of complications and incomplete abortion • Referrals to other health care providers and health care facilities are not needed • Ob/Gyns may timely determine and manage complications. • Saves time to receive help in the same hospital • Reduces possible blaming of women • Needed skills and equipment are available for other methods to terminate the pregnancy
Opportunities for the future: • Strategic Assessment in the countries • Development and implementation of comprehensive care for unwanted pregnancies programs • Inclusion of other health care professionals into counseling and referral.