More Evidence That Telemedicine Is a Safe Route for Medication Abortion

The advent of medication abortion enables delivery of this care via telemedicine, an option that is especially important in states where access to abortion providers is limited to a few urban areas. To evaluate the outcomes of in-clinic versus telemedicine-delivered medication abortion, investigators reviewed medical records at 26 Planned Parenthood centers in Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, and Washington. All participants were evaluated and received counseling at the centers.

Of 5952 women, 738 (mean gestational age, 50.4 days) had telemedicine encounters with providers and 5214 (mean, 48.9 days) had in-clinic encounters. Follow-up was ascertained in 60% of the telemedicine group and 77% of the clinic group. Continuing pregnancy was less common amo…