Abstract
Objectives
We examined advanced practice clinicians’ (APCs: nurse practitioners [NPs], certified
nurse midwives [CNMs], physician assistants) interest in training to provide medication
and aspiration abortion in Colorado, where abortion provision by APCs is legal.
Methods
We surveyed a stratified random sample of APCs, oversampling women's health (CNMs/women's
health nurse practitioners [WHNPs]) and rural APCs. We examined prevalence and predictors
of interest in abortion training using weighted χ2 tests.
Results
Of 512 participants (21% response), the weighted sample is 50% NPs, 41% physician
assistants, and 9% CNMs/WHNPs; 55% provide primary care. Only 12% are aware they can
legally provide abortion. A minority of participants disagree that medication abortion
(15%) or aspiration abortion (25%) should be in APC scope of practice. Almost one-third
(29%) are interested in medication abortion training and 16% are possibly interested;
interest is highest among CNMs/WHNPs (52%) (p < .01). Interest in aspiration abortion training is 15% with another 11% who are
possibly interested; interest is highest among CNMs/WHNPs (34%) (p < .01). There are no significant differences in abortion training interest by rural
practice location or by receipt of abortion education in graduate school. Participants
not interested in medication and aspiration abortion training cited abortion being
outside their specialty practice scope (44% and 38%, respectively) and religious or
personal objections (42% and 34%). Among clinicians interested in medication abortion
training, 33% believe their clinical facility is likely to allow them to provide this
service, compared with 16% for aspiration abortion.
Conclusions
Interest in abortion training among Colorado APCs is substantial. However, facility
barriers to abortion provision must be addressed to increase abortion access with
APCs.
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Biography
Kate Coleman-Minahan, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado College of Nursing and a CU Population Center Research Affiliate. She is a nurse practitioner and social scientist who studies access to contraception and abortion among marginalized populations.
Biography
Jeanelle Sheeder, MSPH, PhD, is Professor, Divisions of Family Planning and Adolescent Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine. Her expertise is in clinical research with a focus on family planning, contraceptive decision making, adolescents, and adolescent pregnancy.
Biography
Jaron Arbet, PhD, is a Research Associate in the Department of Biostatistics and Informatics at the Colorado School of Public Health. His research interests include statistical genetics, machine learning, and working with “big data.”
Biography
Monica R. McLemore, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, is an Associate Professor in the Family Health Care Nursing Department and affiliated scientist with Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, University of California, San Francisco. Her research is focused on reproductive health and justice.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 21, 2020
Accepted:
February 7,
2020
Received in revised form:
February 3,
2020
Received:
July 30,
2019
Footnotes
This project was funded by the University of Colorado College of Nursing. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc.
