Analyzing the impacts of abortion clinic structures and processes: a qualitative analysis of women's negative experience of abortion clinics

Background: In the United States, the social myth that abortion clinics are unsafe, lonely places is pervasive. Little research has investigated the extent to which women's negative experiences of clinic interactions and processes confirm or contest this myth. Study Design: Semistructured interviews with 41 women who received an abortion at a clinic were conducted and analyzed using qualitative analytical techniques in Atlas 5.0. Results: The processes and structures of the abortion clinic necessitated by the realities of antiabortion hostilities lead some women to react negatively to the clinic experience in ways consistent with the social myth of the abortion clinic. Staff interactions can mitigate or alleviate these experiences. Conclusions: Clinic workers and administrators should be aware that safety structures and processes may create negative experiences for some women. Policymakers should be aware of the extent to which public policies and conflict over abortion render the social myth of the clinic a reality. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.