Virtual Medication Abortions Led to High Patient Satisfaction

A new study from the University of Washington School of Medicine (UW Medicine) found that despite an overall level of patient satisfaction with medication abortions, those that took place in person contained flaws that were absent from telehealth visits.

According to research from Guttmacher Institute, as of December 2022, over half of abortions in the US are through medication. Medication abortions are very common and now take place through telehealth often. This was largely due to actions of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 that altered in-clinic rules due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions spurred an increase in virtual medication abortions.

Amid this increase, experts are curious as to how telehealth compares to in-person care for medication abortion. To gain insight, UW researchers conducted a study that involved 30 patients who sought medication abortion in Washington state between September 2021 and January 2022. Of the total patient population, 20 used telehealth and 10 used in-person care. The age range of the patient population was 20 to 38 years old, and the average gestational age when the visit took place was seven weeks.

Differences appeared between the subpopulations. Telehealth patients relied more on advice given during the visit and online information, while in-person patients used printed material more. The researchers also noted that telehealth patients were more likely to have previous abortion experiences and to reside outside of urban locations.

Despite a high level of satisfaction across the entire patient population, researchers noted that telehealth patients experienced a higher level of relaxation, while in-person patients reported that their visits were lengthy, chaotic, and lacking comfort.

The press release also noted that the 5th US Circuit of Appeals may reinstate the requirement of obtaining medication abortion in person later this month. However, based on study findings, researchers noted that this decision would be detrimental.

“Such a move would be harmful for patients in light of previous evidence about travel to clinics being a barrier to medical access — and now, coupled with this study suggesting that patients can receive quality, patient-centered care via telemedicine,” lead author Emily Godfrey, MD, an  OB-GYN and family medicine doctor at UW Medicine, said in a press release.

Furthermore, researchers noted plans for a larger study to gain further insight into how sociodemographics correspond with the selection of care modality.

Previous research has also indicated a level of success associated with medication abortions involving telehealth.

A study published in the Annals of Family Medicine in August 2022 reported that many clinics that used telehealth to provide medication abortion found it to be highly successful.

Data for the study consisted of information from 14 clinics and interviews with 20 clinical staff members. All clinics involved in the study followed a five-step process: engaging with patients, care consultation, payment, dispensing medications through mail, and post-care communication.

Although the setting generally had an effect on the process, study results indicated that the five-step structure was reliable and effective when providing virtual abortion care.