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Women's experiences of a telemedicine abortion service (up to 12 weeks) implemented during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: A qualitative evaluation

Women's experiences of a telemedicine abortion service (up to 12 weeks) implemented during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: A qualitative evaluation

BJOG. 2021 Jun 17. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.16813. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of women in Scotland who accessed medical abortion at home up to 12 weeks gestation, delivered via a telemedicine abortion service implemented in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, to identify areas for improvement and inform service provision.

DESIGN: Qualitative interview study.

SETTING: Abortion service in one National Health Service health board in Scotland.

POPULATION OR SAMPLE: 20 women that accessed telemedicine abortion services and self-administered mifepristone and misoprostol at home up to 12 weeks gestation.

METHODS: Thematic analysis of semi-structured qualitative interviews, informed by the Framework analytic approach.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Women's experiences of accessing telemedicine for medical abortion at home, specifically: acceptability of the telephone consultation and remote support; views on no pre-abortion ultrasound scan; and self-administration of abortion medications at home.

RESULTS: Novel study findings were threefold: (1) participants valued the option of accessing abortion care via telemedicine, and emphasised the benefits of providing a choice of telephone and in-person consultation to suit those with different life circumstances; (2) the quality of abortion care was enhanced by the telemedicine service in relation to access, comfort and flexibility, and ongoing telephone support; (3) participants described being comfortable with, and in some cases a preference for, not having an ultrasound scan.

CONCLUSIONS: This research demonstrates support for the continuation of telemedicine abortion services beyond the temporary arrangements in place during COVID-19, and lends weight to the argument that offering the option of telemedicine abortion care can enable women to access this essential health service.

PMID:34138505 | DOI:10.1111/1471-0528.16813

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