Healthcare provider perspectives on their role in perpetrating and perpetuating reproductive coercion: a qualitative study

This research highlights the complex ways healthcare providers may, often unintentionally, undermine reproductive autonomy through biased guidance, non-referral, or restrictive practices. Addressing both explicit and implicit provider biases is essential for fostering person-centred, non-coercive reproductive healthcare. Our findings underscore the need for healthcare systems to prioritise bias and reflective practice training, along with corresponding clinical guidance for providers. This must be supported by institutional safeguards, such as enforceable referral mechanisms and bias-aware education to ensure reproductive decisions are respected and supported in practice. By actively dismantling coercive practices, healthcare providers can ensure that the care they provide respects and upholds patients' reproductive intentions and autonomy.