Women's experiences of a telemedicine abortion service (up to 12 weeks) implemented during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: a qualitative evaluation.
BJOG
; 128(11): 1752-1761, 2021 10.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1429453
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 Twenty women who 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 OUTCOMEMEASURES:
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 three-fold (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. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT #Telemedicine provision of medical #abortion at home up to 12 weeks' gestation is acceptable and highly valued by #women #Research #SRHR @nbw80 @doctorjjrw @jeniharden @cameronsharon @mrc_crh @edinuniusher.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Self Administration
/
Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
/
Patient Satisfaction
/
Abortion, Induced
/
Telemedicine
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
BJOG
Journal subject:
Gynecology
/
Obstetrics
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
1471-0528.16813
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS