Experiences and perceptions of health care professionals in Macedonia regarding abortion and contraception

Vera Dimitrievska, University of Groningen

The transition process creates challenges for professionalism of health staff and training programmes. Providers’ and clients’ perceptions of what the tasks of health workers are changed considerably, so that established norms and habits need to be reinvented, and knowledge and educational curricula need to be innovated. In Macedonia, especially medical education regarding contraceptive practices and communication with patients, is outdated. The present study takes up the challenge of obtaining an emic view of ideas, practices, and dilemmas of professionalism among health practitioners dealing with contraception and family planning practices in Macedonia. The study aims to get insight into the: Perceptions, motives, experiences of health care practitioners and their clients dealing with contraceptives and family planning practices, especially in the context of very high rates of abortion. - How the health care professionals (especially relating to abortion, contraceptives and family planning) view the challenges facing their profession, its shortcomings, and options for change towards norms and practices of a professionalism that respond to the needs of patients and the broader community. The study uses an explorative approach with qualitative methods. In order to understand practitioner’s perceptions and experiences, we use in-depth-interviews, observations and focus groups discussions with women in reproductive period how they perceive the professionalism among health care professionals dealing with abortion and contraception. Data is collected from September 2013 – November 2013. This will include 4 focus group discussions with women and 24 in-depth interviews with health care professionals who are dealing with abortion and family planning based on a semi-structured interview. We use the findings from the in-depth interviews and focus groups to learn more about the range of professional integrity and professionalism validate the domains that will be included on our study. .