Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

March 31, 2021

Expansion of a Direct-to-Patient Telemedicine Abortion Service in the United States and Experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • A direct-to-patient telemedicine abortion service was found to be safe, effective, and acceptable according to a study in which participants were mailed mifepristone and misoprostol and received counselling and screening remotely. 1,390 packages were mailed between May 2016 and September 2020 and enrollment increased substantially with the onset of COVID-19. Although participants were required to receive a pre-abortion ultrasound or pelvic exam, in 52% (346/669) of abortions that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, sites determined that those participants should not get the test to protect their health. Use of urine pregnancy test to confirm abortion completion increased from 67% (144/214) in the six months before the pandemic to 90% (602/669) in the six months during the pandemic. Participants reported satisfaction with the service (99%, 1,013/1,022).

Chong et al. (Mar 2021). Expansion of a Direct-to-Patient Telemedicine Abortion Service in the United States and Experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Contraception. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2021.03.019