From research to reality: the challenges of introducing medical abortion into service delivery in Vietnam.

Following the inclusion of mifepristone + misoprostol for early pregnancy termination into the Vietnam National Reproductive Health Guidelines in 2002, a team from the Ministry of Health, World Health Organization and Ipas assessed how best to move from clinical research to widespread public sector availability. After field visits to hospitals and discussions with stakeholders, the team endorsed the phased introduction of medical abortion alongside vacuum aspiration services to expand choice. They stressed the importance of patient-oriented information on what to expect as the abortion process takes place and the need for follow-up, also crucial in training of providers.