Telehealth Provides Effective Option for Abortion Care

July 13, 2023 - Upon review of numerous research articles, a study found that telehealth increased access to abortion care throughout the US and was as effective as in-person abortion services while limiting the need for surgery, supporting providers, and boosting convenience.

Telehealth use grew as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which then led to the rise of virtual abortion care. Amid increasing restrictions on abortion access nationwide, researchers aimed to gather data surrounding the perceptions of patients and providers on virtually accessing abortion services.

To do so, they gathered hundreds of articles from various databases and reviewed 33 after scanning for inclusion criteria. Of these 33 studies, 11 were qualitative, six were cross-sectional, and 13 were cohort-based. The remaining three used other approaches. Regarding study populations, 26 studies included potential abortion users, five abortion care providers, and two both users and providers.

Based on a review of the included studies, researchers observed that telehealth increased access to abortion care. One study, for example, indicated that telehealth led to an 8 percent increase in the use of medication abortion among potential abortion users.

Various themes emerged upon review of provider perceptions of virtual medication abortion. Among the six studies that focused on this, the main theme that emerged was that providers felt that telehealth led to better access for patients. Provider experiences also indicated that a more user-centered approach is derived from virtual medication abortion.

Concerns, however, related to a potential lack of providers' ability to verify patient identity, the distribution of medication to the correct user, and minors obtaining medication without parental permission.

Among the seven studies that reviewed the relationship between users and virtual abortion services, numerous positive themes emerged. Many potential abortion users felt that the capabilities of telehealth matched those of in-person care; overall, 56 percent of abortion users preferred telehealth. Travel distance to a clinic, convenience, privacy, cost, and other factors all contributed to preferences for telehealth.

Overall, telehealth was an effective option for those seeking medication abortion care. Among abortion services that took place through telehealth, 6 percent or less required surgical intervention, which is comparable to in-person clinic visits.

But researchers noted that further research surrounding abortion care access through telehealth within low-resource environments is needed.

Telehealth use for abortion services has become increasingly widespread, largely due to changes in legislation.

Following the overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision on June 24, 2022, reproductive healthcare access changed significantly. To widen access, many turned to medication abortions through telehealth, according to experts that spoke with mHealthIntelligence in October 2022.

For example, Melissa Grant, chief operating officer of reproductive healthcare provider carafem, stated that there was a 200 percent increase in telehealth abortions provided by carafem health centers in the last year.

Research also shows that high patient satisfaction is associated with virtual medication abortion.

A study published in May by the University of Washington School of Medicine indicated that in-person medication abortions resulted in issues that did not exist among those that took place virtually.

Although there was an overall level of satisfaction regardless of visit type, those who participated in virtual visits felt more relaxed. But those who engaged in in-person care experienced lengthy and chaotic visits that lacked comfort.