Study shows telehealth medication abortion is as effective as clinic visits 

USA – In a recent study, researchers have reaffirmed the safety and efficacy of medication abortion, even when obtained through telehealth appointments. 

 Medication abortion involves terminating a pregnancy using pills instead of surgical procedures and is a prevalent method in the United States. 

Telehealth services for medication abortion have been available since around 2008, but their usage expanded significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

The FDA’s decision in 2021 to remove the requirement for in-person appointments further facilitated virtual consultations, particularly in states where abortion and telehealth services are not prohibited. 

With use on the rise, a study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, examined 6,034 medication abortions conducted via telehealth between April 2021 and January 2022 to determine its safety and efficacy.  

The study focused on three virtual clinics operating in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Results indicated that telehealth medication abortion, whether conducted through secure texting or video calls, was overwhelmingly effective and safe. 

Participants primarily interacted with providers through text, with follow-up calls or video conferences also available.  

The study revealed that telehealth medication abortion yielded similar effectiveness and safety outcomes as in-person care, with no mandatory testing or physical examinations required for patients. 

For patients with potential risk factors, such as symptoms of ectopic pregnancy or exceeding gestational age limits, referrals for ultrasounds were made. 

 The study reported a minimal occurrence of serious adverse events, with 97.7% of participants achieving a complete abortion after taking the prescribed medication. 

Among those who did not initially complete the abortion process, additional medication or surgical procedures were necessary in a small percentage of cases.  

Importantly, the study found consistent outcomes across various demographics, including race, ethnicity, and age. 

The researchers, from the University of California, San Francisco, concluded that telehealth medication abortion is a safe and effective alternative to in-person care. 

The study comes against a backdrop of roadblocks threatening future access to medication abortion. 

 In April, a Texas judge halted the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, a key medication used in the process.  

However, the drug remains accessible while the decision undergoes review by the US Supreme Court. 

Dr. Pratima Gupta, an abortion provider in San Diego, praised the study’s findings, emphasizing the importance of telehealth options in meeting patients’ needs, especially amidst increasing restrictions on abortion access in certain states since the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade. 

“I think it’s really wonderful that we’re able to meet patients where they’re at. So whatever their preferred method of communication is, whether it’s texting, whether it’s telephone, whether it’s video, so we are able to meet their needs with accessibility,” Gupta said.