title: Termination of pregnancy: attitudes and clinical experiences of Irish GPs and GPs-in-training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Termination of pregnancy (ToP) is currently illegal in Ireland. In 2010, more than 4000 women travelled from Ireland to the UK for a ToP.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to assess the attitudes and clinical experiences of Irish General Practitioners (GPs) and GPs-in-training (GPRs) towards ToP.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postal survey was sent to 500 GPs in Ireland. An internet-based survey was sent to 244 GPRs. Quantitative and qualitative analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall response was 44%. Four groups of doctor's opinions could be identified: (A) abortion can never be allowed (10%); (B) abortion can be allowed in limited circumstances (25%); (C) abortion should be available to all women (51%); and (D) no definite opinion (14%). Doctors in groups (A) and (B) were older and more often Catholic. Of doctors in group (C), 66% indicated an upper gestational limit of maximum 16 weeks. More than 40% of all respondents had at least one consultation specifically dealing with ToP within the past six months and 43% agreed with the statement that women's health suffers due to the travel related to ToP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most responding GPs and GPRs (75%) support the provision of ToP in Ireland in certain circumstances. The qualitative analysis of this survey showed that the terms pro-life and pro-choice inappropriately describe the spectrum of opinions. This study highlights clinical situations in which women's health may be adversely affected due to the requirement to travel for ToP.
authors.affiliation: Sligo GP Training Scheme, Sligo General Hospital, Sligo, Ireland. mark_murphy2005@yahoo.ie
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Akke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vellinga
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walkin
authors.forename: Maeve
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: MacDermott
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000193:education; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016079:Refusal to Treat; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*