Communication with patients using asynchronous telehealth medication abortion services.
Publication Title
Contraception
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2025
Keywords
Humans; Telemedicine; Female; Abortion, Induced; Pregnancy; Adult; Communication; Patient Satisfaction; Young Adult; Professional-Patient Relations; Abortion; Asynchronous; Health care delivery; Patient communication; Patient-centered care; Telemedicine.; washington; swedish
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Understanding patient communication with clinic providers or staff in telemedicine abortion can inform appropriate staffing.
METHODOLOGY: We describe patient-service communication when using asynchronous telemedicine abortion services from April to November 2020 (n = 504) and compare patient demographics with number of messages using Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test.
RESULTS: About half of patients communicated with staff (56%, n = 287), median of six messages per patient (interquartile range: 3-10 messages). Primary topics included (1) eligibility, (2) payment, (3) medication delivery, and (4) physical process. Message volume did not differ by patient demographics.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings inform communication and staffing quantity and quality in telemedicine abortion provision.
IMPLICATIONS: Asynchronous telehealth abortion patients require minimal communication, and most inquiries can be addressed by nonclinical staff. These insights can inform resource allocation and staffing decisions in telehealth abortion services, improving efficiency while maintaining patient satisfaction.
Area of Special Interest
Women & Children
Specialty/Research Institute
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Specialty/Research Institute
Telemedicine
DOI
10.1016/j.contraception.2025.111014
