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
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34138505
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.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Autoadministração
/
Abortivos não Esteroides
/
Satisfação do Paciente
/
Aborto Induzido
/
Telemedicina
Tipo de estudo:
Evaluation_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BJOG
Assunto da revista:
GINECOLOGIA
/
OBSTETRICIA
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido