Research on Equity in Abortion Care by TeleHealth (REACH)

University of California San Francisco (UCSF)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Abortion in First Trimester; Abortion; Attempted; Abortion Early

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT06787274

23-39122

R01HD110659 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will examine the ways in which telehealth for reproductive healthcare affects timing, costs, and follow-up care; whether telehealth reaches people in areas with greater health inequities; and the attributes of telehealth that patients want. Study surveys will be administered to interested, eligible participants: 2,000 patients seeking abortion care will complete the study, comprising of 2 groups: patients seeking medication abortion care either (1) in-person or (2) via telehealth. This project will address how telehealth services can be optimized for people of color, low-income people, and immigrants to increase digital inclusion and health equity.

Full description

Given the novelty of telehealth abortion services and new abortion bans, there is a critical need for research on the role of telehealth for abortion to expand equitable abortion access among groups historically marginalized in healthcare. Outside of abortion care, telehealth appears to 1) bridge geographic disparities,2) facilitate language translation,3) provide privacy and safety for immigrants with varying legal statuses, 4) decrease patient costs, and 5) require less time off work or school. At the same time, telehealth services could exacerbate inequities if patients lack technology, internet connectivity, or digital literacy. Because abortion is overregulated and highly stigmatized, research on telehealth for abortion is vital. The investigators hypothesize that telehealth is associated with several benefits compared to in-person abortion care, but is not yet reaching people in areas with greater health inequities who need these innovations most. This research can also inform the policies in states that are considering ways to support people in banned states.

Enrollment: 2,000 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 14 to 64 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Must be currently or about to be obtaining medication abortion care through in-person or telehealth services

Exclusion criteria

• Not currently or about to be obtaining medication abortion care through in-person or telehealth services

Trial design

2,000 participants in 4 patient groups

In-person via established clinic

Description:

People seeking or who have received in-person medication abortion care through an established clinic.

Telehealth via established clinic

Description:

People seeking or who have received telehealth medication abortion care through an established clinic. A telehealth medication abortion involves a remote clinical consultation to confirm medical eligibility with medications delivered by mail

Telehealth through other online services or searches

Description:

People seeking or who have received telehealth medication abortion care through an online service

In-person through online search

Description:

People seeking or who have received in-person abortion services through online searches