Telehealth Abortion Care Found Effective

The California Home Abortion by Telehealth (CHAT) study, conducted in the United States, found that telehealth medication abortion is both effective and safe, comparable to the rates seen in traditional, in-person abortion care. This is relevant as telehealth abortion has emerged as a crucial solution to meet the increasing demand for abortion services, particularly where abortion remains legal, but access is limited.

The CHAT study is a prospective research effort tracking individuals who have undergone medication abortion via telehealth services provided by three virtual clinics operating in the United States across 20 states and Washington, DC from April 2021 to January 2024. The study found no significant differences in effectiveness or safety between synchronous and asynchronous models of care. This suggests that telehealth medication abortion is both effective and safe, comparable to the rates seen in traditional, in-person abortion care.

In August, 2023, the Supreme Court (SCJN) decriminalized abortion throughout Mexico, allowing public health institutions to provide the service without criminal charges against them or the patients, as reported by MBN. Despite the legalization, there is a possibility that the utilization of services and the safety of procedures may still display unequal patterns, echoing past trends observed when abortion was legal in only a few states of Mexico, according to MBN.

However, with telemedicine, there is potential to bridge these gaps and enhance access to safe abortion care, particularly in underserved regions, ultimately promoting reproductive health equity.

“In a country where millions of people struggle to access quality medical services due to geographical distance and economic barriers, telemedicine is changing the landscape,” wrote Carina Reverter, CEO LATAM, MeetingDoctors for MBN.

Telemedicine provides a secure and private means to access abortion services in early pregnancy stages, reducing stigma and enhancing access for women and girls in remote communities, according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

In 2021, over 20 million telehealth consultations took place in Latin America and 67% of them were consultations for women. Households headed by women are more likely to use public transportation to get to the doctor compared to those by men, according to the Gender Observatory. In Mexico, this situation inevitably puts women at risk as 98% of Mexican women have been victims of sexual violence and harassment in public transportation. Telemedicine helps to address transportation barriers and promote care access.

“Technologies have revolutionized the healthcare sector worldwide, and Mexico is no exception. The use of technological tools in the Mexican healthcare system has shown its ability to reduce costs, improve medical care, and expand access to healthcare services,” wrote Jesús Hernández, President, Healthtech Association for MBN.