Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

In Canada, access to abortion is guaranteed under the Canada Health Act. Despite this guarantee, access to abortion is compromised for many women. In PEI, the only province without abortion services, a number of policies limit women's ability to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Provincial healthcare only covers abortion procedures performed before 14 weeks gestation and after women have had an ultrasound, with wait times often exceeding 15 weeks. These criteria may explain why over 60% of Islanders have paid out of pocket for a basic health care covered procedure in the past eight years (CBC News, 2010). Further compromising women's access is the cost of travel to the mainland and a lack of anonymity. Abortion services, previously available to women on the island, were discontinued when PEI's Protestant and Catholic Hospitals merged in 1982. Qualitative research is most effective when aiming to achieve rich understandings of lived experiences, while the first-voice experiences of those affected by existing policy provide insights to guide policy change. A qualitative study that systematically explores five women's first-hand experiences of the effects of PEI's policies surrounding abortion access will provide a better understanding of this issue, with potential to inform policy aimed at facilitating access to healthcare services. References: CBC News (2010). Abortion requires anonymity, says PEI group. December 6, 2010.