Ushma D Upadhyay1, Kate Cockrill, Lori R Freedman. 1. Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. upadhyayu@obgyn.ucsf.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Emotional care is an important component of abortion services. Evidence-based counseling for other stigmatized and sensitive health issues may be informative for the improvement of abortion counseling. METHODS: We searched the literature for practices used in emotional care for stigmatized and sensitive health issues. We made analytic choices for the selection of articles using the "constant comparative method," a grounded theory technique. We selected practices that were effective in supporting coping and improving psychosocial adjustment. Findings were synthesized and analyzed to draw evidence-based implications for abortion counseling. RESULTS: We uncovered nine practices used in emotional care for stigmatized and sensitive health issues that have been shown to support coping or improve psychological adjustment. The techniques and interventions identified were: self-awareness assessments, peer counseling, decision aids, encouraging active client participation, supporting decision satisfaction, support groups, Internet-based support, ongoing telephone counseling, and public artistic expression. CONCLUSION: A variety of patient-centered, evidence-based interventions used for other health issues are applicable in emotional care for abortion. Evaluation of these practices in the abortion counseling setting can determine their appropriateness and effectiveness. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Abortion care providers may be able to integrate additional patient-centered practices to support coping or improve psychological adjustment after abortion.
OBJECTIVE: Emotional care is an important component of abortion services. Evidence-based counseling for other stigmatized and sensitive health issues may be informative for the improvement of abortion counseling. METHODS: We searched the literature for practices used in emotional care for stigmatized and sensitive health issues. We made analytic choices for the selection of articles using the "constant comparative method," a grounded theory technique. We selected practices that were effective in supporting coping and improving psychosocial adjustment. Findings were synthesized and analyzed to draw evidence-based implications for abortion counseling. RESULTS: We uncovered nine practices used in emotional care for stigmatized and sensitive health issues that have been shown to support coping or improve psychological adjustment. The techniques and interventions identified were: self-awareness assessments, peer counseling, decision aids, encouraging active client participation, supporting decision satisfaction, support groups, Internet-based support, ongoing telephone counseling, and public artistic expression. CONCLUSION: A variety of patient-centered, evidence-based interventions used for other health issues are applicable in emotional care for abortion. Evaluation of these practices in the abortion counseling setting can determine their appropriateness and effectiveness. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Abortion care providers may be able to integrate additional patient-centered practices to support coping or improve psychological adjustment after abortion.