Nurse practitioner and authorised midwife experiences of medication abortion provision

Nurse practitioners and authorised midwives have a key role in meeting the needs of women’s reproductive care including pregnancy, termination, contraception and sexual health. In practice, knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, referral pathways and timely access to care for patients are key concerns. Following the TGA changes in 2023 allowing nurse practitioners and authorised midwives to provide medication abortion, only a few Australian states have legislated to allow these clinicians to provide this care. Through a literature review and interviews with nurse practitioners and authorised midwives, this research seeks to understand the perceptions of these clinicians and their support needs about medication abortion. This project sits within SPHERE, an NHMRC funded Centre of Research Excellence in Sexual and Reproductive Health for Women in Primary Care. SPHERE is led by Professor Danielle Mazza and supported by multidisciplinary students and researchers in the Department of General Practice. The successful candidate will have opportunity to be part of this team with support from supervisors.