Journal article
The impact of abortion doulas on women and providers’ outcomes: An integrative review of the evidence
Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare, Vol.37, pp.1-7
2023
Abstract
The aim of this integrative review is to map the literature on the impact of abortion doulas on women and abortion care providers. This review followed a modified Whittemore and Knafl framework and PRISMA guidelines. Electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Proquest, EMBASE, and PsycINFO) were searched using key terms: abortion and doula. Search was limited by date (2012-2022), type (primary research only), and language (English only). Of the 99 papers found, only 4 met inclusion criteria. The four papers – drawn from 2 studies – were analysed using NICE Appraisal checklists. In total, data from 328 participants (n = 314 women, n = 5 physicians, n = 5 staff members, n = 4 abortion doulas) was analysed. Of the 314 women, 160 women received doula support and 154 did not. Two qualitative papers showed women and abortion providers reported a beneficial impact of abortion doulas, but the two quantitative (RCTs) papers showed null impact for a doula support intervention vs. usual care on women’s physical and psychological outcomes. Women reported wanting support during the abortion; however, the evidence is not yet clear on whether a doula is required to address this need for women undergoing a surgical abortion in clinic. It may be that abortion support is important in ways that are difficult to measure.
Details
- Title
- The impact of abortion doulas on women and providers’ outcomes: An integrative review of the evidence
- Authors
- Elaine Jefford (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - MidwiferyJulia Marsden (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityLyn Ebert (Author) - Southern Cross University
- Publication details
- Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare, Vol.37, pp.1-7
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100888
- ISSN
- 1877-5764
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Midwifery
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99739998502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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