Narrative Review of Medication-Induced Abortion and Care through Telemedicine

Abstract

Objective: This review aims to examine the role of telemedicine in facilitating access to medication-induced abortion services, in the context of legal restrictions, geographical barriers, and the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on healthcare delivery. Mechanism: This study conducted a narrative literature review focusing on the application of telemedicine in abortion care. It included analyzing various study types and evidence from peer-reviewed articles to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and patient reception of telemedicine in providing medication-induced abortion. Findings in Brief: Medication-induced abortion via telemedicine is safe, effective, and well received by patients, offering a viable alternative to traditional in-person services. Telemedicine enables remote eligibility assessment, medication prescription, and follow-up care, significantly benefiting isolated or underserved populations. Conclusions: Telemedicine has emerged as a critical innovation in abortion care, enhancing access, safety, and equity in abortion services. It addresses significant barriers such as travel expenses and missed work, providing a patient-centered approach to abortion care. Future directions should focus on optimizing telemedicine protocols and expanding access to underserved populations, ensuring comprehensive abortion care through telemedicine.

Keywords

• telemedicine
• abortion care
• medication-induced abortion
• covid-19 pandemic