Maka Tsulukidze
Florida Gulf Coast University, USA
Abstract Title: Seeking HELP beyond the pill: women's perceptions about informed consent for medication abortion. Mixed methods research
Biography:
Make Tsulukidze is an Associate Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, Marieb College of Health and Human Services. Dr. Tsulukidze earned a PhD in Health Sciences Research from University of North Carolina at Charlotte, MD from Tbilisi Medical Academy and completed Postdoctoral Fellowship at Dartmouth Center for Health Care Delivery Science. She has served as PAHO/WHO consultant (Washington, DC) and UNICEF National Consultant to the Parliament of Georgia (Tbilisi, Georgia) to implement strategic partnerships, initiatives and program development. Dr. Tsulukidze has authored studies published in the reputable journals such as Archives of Surgery, Patient Education and Counseling, PLOS One.
Research Interest:
Informed consent is vital for patient autonomy. The rise of telehealth abortion services and online abortion medication access in the U.S. raises concerns about whether women receive adequate information, especially regarding risks and consequences. This study examined women’s perceptions of the informed consent process for medication abortion, focusing on their needs and preferences. Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, in Phase I we analyzed qualitative data collected from English-language online forums. In Phase II using a survey we assessed perceptions of informed consent among 362 U.S. women (ages 23–55) who had medication abortions in the past five years. Our analysis showed that women sought information on symptoms (pain, bleeding, failed abortion, pill reversal), emotional support (depression, regret, anxiety, mixed emotions), urgent reassurance, and gaps in information during consultations. Women most needed information about failed abortion (B = -1.93, P = .02) and mental health effects (B = -1.28, P = .047). Stress correlated with feeling less informed (B = -2.29, p < .001), while happiness correlated with feeling more informed (B = 1.59, p = .03). Women primarily seek information online about abortion symptoms and emotional responses, revealing gaps in current informed consent practices. Many feel uninformed about risks, leading to potential preference misdiagnosis when treatment recommendations don’t align with patient preferences. This study underscores the need for improved counseling and comprehensive information to support informed decision-making. As medication abortion use increases, further research is needed to enhance informed consent in both clinical and online settings.