Is Telehealth Abortion Right for You?

There have been many changes in how you get healthcare in the past several years. One of the major changes has been to increase access to telehealth by providing patients with the ability to receive physician advice, prescriptions and follow-up care from their home computers or smart phones. With this access, more patients can receive reproductive care services through the use of telehealth, including telemedicine abortion.

For patients who may not be able to make it to a clinic due to location difficulties or desire for confidentiality, virtual communication with a licensed healthcare provider has advantages for receiving reproductive services from home. If you qualify for a medication abortion, you may receive your prescription by mail after your telehealth appointment.

While telehealth does have benefits, it cannot be used in every situation and knowing the pros and cons of telehealth will allow you to determine if telehealth is right for you.

What Is Telehealth?

Digital technologies (such as video calls, phone consultations and secure messaging platforms) enable individuals to access healthcare remotely using telehealth. Rather than going to a physical office for medical care, patients receive remote consultations with licensed providers via digital technologies to discuss their symptoms, obtain medical advice and possibly obtain prescriptions.

Telehealth also enables eligible patients to obtain telemedicine abortion services. By using this method, a patient can make a telehealth consultation with a provider to discuss their pregnancy and medical history, and to determine whether they are eligible for medication abortion.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), telehealth has provided patients with improved access to timely care, particularly when they live in rural areas or areas where reproductive healthcare clinics are not available to them.

1. Increased Privacy and Confidentiality

Telehealth provides patients with a higher level of privacy when utilizing healthcare services. This is particularly true for those patients seeking reproductive healthcare services. Many people may not feel comfortable going to a healthcare clinic in person for reproductive healthcare services due to the stigma associated with such services, especially in smaller communities, where they may be recognized by someone while they are at the clinic.

Patients can receive virtual consultations from their own homes or another private location with telehealth appointments. As a result, patients will have the ability to discuss their health concerns without the stress of waiting in the clinic and having to go to the clinic to see a healthcare provider in person.

Patients who wish to access abortion services via telemedicine can benefit from telehealth by managing care in a private manner. Due to the virtual nature of the consultation, many patients feel more at ease asking their doctors or other healthcare providers both routine and personal questions related to their medical condition.

2. Shorter Wait Times for Appointments

Due to an increase in demand for reproductive health services, many clinics currently face difficulty scheduling in-person appointments quickly, especially when it comes to time-sensitive services such as abortions. Telehealth may provide a fast way to receive medical consultation through a healthcare professional compared to having to wait weeks for an appointment in a clinic; telehealth allows patients to connect with physicians within a few days or sometimes sooner than they would at a clinic.

Patients considering a medication abortion could benefit from this faster way of accessing a healthcare provider since medication abortions are typically performed early on in a pregnancy. Consequently, faster appointments via telehealth allow patients the opportunity to obtain care earlier (and potentially avoid unnecessary delays).

Telehealth appointments usually allow for a more flexible schedule, meaning patients can schedule appointments that will work better around their job or family obligations, making them more accessible than traditional office visits.

3. Affordability

The costs associated with healthcare are a common concern among many people, and telehealth can sometimes assist in reducing these costs related to an in-person visit.

When virtual care is used, patients often benefit from reduced costs in multiple ways, including:

• Less time away from work for appointments
• No charges associated with using a vehicle to attend appointments (fuel, vehicle wear and tear)
• No charges associated with parking or taking public transportation to appointments
• Reducing childcare expenses associated with attending an appointment
• In some instances, lower consultation fees

If long-distance travel is required for a visit to a healthcare provider, then telehealth would eliminate all of the above-listed additional costs.

Although most telehealth clinics will assist patients with financial help, some offer flexible ways to pay for reproductive healthcare services.

4. Eliminates the Need for Transportation

In many cases, the inability to reach a location often has serious repercussions for health, for example, those who live in rural settings or who do not have enough medical services in their area are limited by the same barriers as anyone else.

Many times, people have to drive hours to get to their doctor’s office. Thus, individuals need to arrange transportation or receive a ride to/from their destination by family/friends. Individuals take the time from work to make an appointment as well as have someone they can arrange childcare with while they are at the appointment.

Because the patient can connect with the doctor from their home with telehealth, they do not have to spend time traveling to see their physician.

Patients receiving an abortion through telemedicine have two appointments, one for an online consultation and one to receive an abortion without having to go to a doctor’s office.

5. Access to Inclusive and Gender-Affirming Providers

Telehealth has benefited individuals who cannot afford to travel to a physician by enabling them to receive care from a provider that may not be readily available.

Patients who require gender-inclusive standard reproductive / sexual health care can use telehealth to find and contact a provider that offers inclusive and respectful care.

In many areas of the country, it is difficult for individuals to find healthcare providers that understand and provide gender-inclusive care and to be able to find a provider that respects the diversity of the individual’s gender identity.

Patients can use telehealth to connect with highly qualified, experienced providers offering gender-inclusive reproductive/sexual health services regardless of the location of the provider or the patient.

6. Easy Communication and Follow-Up Care

Another positive aspect of telehealth is the ability for patients and their health care team to have frequent conversations with each other.

A lot of telehealth apps have secure places for patients to send their doctor questions before, during, or after visits.

Patients who are getting a medication abortion may find this comfort or guidance helpful while going through the process.

Doctors can also schedule follow-up visits online to assure the patient received appropriate treatment and address any issues.

The direct access to your health care team can create an experience that feels more supportive and less stressful.

7. Reduced Risk of Infection

Patients may be at risk of getting sick when going to receive healthcare from hospitals or clinics (for example, during flu season or public health outbreaks) because there are many individuals, who may have infections, present in healthcare settings.

Telemedicine reduces the need to attend a busy waiting area or healthcare provider facility, which reduces the likelihood of being exposed to infectious diseases.

For the patient with a weakened immune system or other underlying disease affecting her immune system, a telehealth appointment protects her and only provides her protection if she is permitted during the appointment.

If a woman qualifies for a medication abortion through telehealth, she can safely obtain an abortion, and will limit her unnecessary exposure to an infectious disease.

When Telehealth May Not Be the Best Option

Telemedicine has many benefits but may not be appropriate for every type of medical condition. Patients may need to go to an office or clinic to see a physician for their health care. Some of the circumstances when a patient will need to see a doctor in-house include being further along in their pregnancy than is allowable for a medication abortion.

• The evaluation or an ultrasound is needed.
• The patient has special health problems.
• Abortion using surgery is preferred over using medication for termination of pregnancy.

Health practitioners can help evaluate whether the patient should receive care in person or via telemedicine. Patients who require in-clinic abortion services can find professional, compassionate care at our Matteson, IL location.

Telehealth Services at Serenity Choice Health

Serenity Choice Health offers both in-person and telemedicine visits for reproductive health services to people who are in need of reproductive health care.

Telehealth abortion care at Serenity Choice Health can connect patients with licensed medical professionals where they can speak to the doctor, review their options for medical treatment for abortion and determine if they can receive a medical termination of pregnancy or need to undergo a surgical abortion.

Serenity Choice Health provides care to individuals from Illinois, Indiana, and New York; thereby, helping people obtain medical care when they live too far from the medical office.

Telehealth consultations can provide medical professionals to assist patients in maintaining their privacy and receiving professional medical advice.

The Bottom Line

Telehealth has revolutionized how patients obtain medical services. Individuals seeking private, quick or non-local medical services can potentially use telehealth services as the most convenient and accessible option.

For many clients eligible for telemedicine abortion, the use of telehealth will enable them to connect with licensed prescribers and receive safe and confidential medication abortion through consultation.

Ultimately, the best option for care is based upon your unique circumstances. A qualified healthcare provider can help you evaluate your options so you can select the form of care which meets your unique needs. To get started, schedule an appointment with a provider today and take the first step toward receiving the care you deserve. Patients living in the Midwest and beyond can also learn more about how to access abortion care in Illinois when local options are unavailable.