Should COVID-specific arrangements for abortion continue? The views of women experiencing abortion in Britain during the pandemic.
BMJ Sex Reprod Health
; 48(4): 288-294, 2022 10.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1807457
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the British governments issued temporary approvals enabling the use of both medical abortion pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, at home. This permitted the introduction of a fully telemedical model of abortion care with consultations taking place via telephone or video call and medications delivered to women's homes. The decision was taken by the governments in England and Wales to continue this model of care beyond the original end date of April 2022, while at time of writing the approval in Scotland remains under consultation.METHODS:
We interviewed 30 women who had undergone an abortion in England, Scotland or Wales between August and December 2021. We explored their views on the changes in abortion service configuration during the pandemic and whether abortion via telemedicine and use of abortion medications at home should continue.RESULTS:
Support for continuation of the permission to use mifepristone and misoprostol at home was overwhelmingly positive. Reasons cited included convenience, comfort, reduced stigma, privacy and respect for autonomy. A telemedical model was also highly regarded for similar reasons, but for some its necessity was linked to safety measures during the pandemic, and an option to have an in-person interaction with a health professional at some point in the care pathway was endorsed.CONCLUSIONS:
The approval to use abortion pills at home via telemedicine is supported by women having abortions in Britain. The voices of patients are essential to shaping acceptable and appropriate abortion service provision.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Misoprostol
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
BMJ Sex Reprod Health
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bmjsrh-2022-201502
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