Telehealth for Contraceptive Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Provider Perspectives

Innovative Strategies for Addressing Adolescent Health in Primary Care Through Telehealth

With recent gains in telehealth access across health sectors, this editorial explores adolescent-specific health issues where innovative use of virtual care is improving outcomes and access for adolescents. These include contraception, obesity, gender-affirming care, mental health, and eating disorder care. Clinicians caring for adolescents should be aware of advances in this field to maximize opportunities for their patients to receive evidence-based care in a manner that supports health equity and confidentiality concerns while understanding the evolving regulatory landscape of telehealth.

Telemedicine for Adolescent and Young Adult Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Post-insertion Visits: Outcomes over 1 Year

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Telemedicine for long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) care is understudied given the rapid implementation of these services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We compared outcomes over 1 year of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) attending a LARC post-insertion visit via telemedicine vs in person.

DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort study.

SETTING

Four academic adolescent medicine clinics in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

AYAs (ages 13-26 years) who received LARC between 4/1/20 and 3/1/21 and attended a post-insertion visit within 12 weeks.

INTERVENTIONS

none.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Outcomes over 1 year were compared between AYAs who completed this visit via telemedicine vs in person. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and regression models.

RESULTS

Of 194 AYAs (ages 13.9-25.7 years) attending a post-insertion visit, 40.2% utilized telemedicine. Menstrual management (odds ratio (OR) = 1.02; confidence interval (CI): 0.40-2.60), acne management (P = .28), number of visits attended (relative risk (RR) = 1.08; CI: 0.99-1.19), and LARC removal (P = .95) were similar between groups. AYAs attending via telemedicine were less likely than those attending in person to have STI testing (P = .001). Intrauterine device expulsion or malposition and arm symptoms with implant in situ were rare outcomes in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Roughly 40% of AYAs attended a post-insertion visit via telemedicine during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and had similar 1-year outcomes as those attending in person. The decreased likelihood of STI testing for those using telemedicine highlights the need to provide alternative options, when indicated, such as asynchronous or home testing. Our results support the use of telemedicine for AYA LARC post-insertion care and identify potential gaps in telemedicine care which can help improve clinic protocols.

Provision of DMPA-SC for self-administration in different practice settings during the COVID-19 pandemic: Data from providers across the United States

OBJECTIVES

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate-subcutaneous (DMPA-SC) can be prescribed through telemedicine and self-administered, but data about availability, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, are limited. This study assessed changes in the availability of DMPA-SC for self-administration during the pandemic.

STUDY DESIGN

This study used survey data from a convenience sample of US providers engaged in contraceptive care and participating in a Continuing Medical Education-accredited contraceptive training (April 2020-April 2022; n = 849). Providers were recruited from across 503 clinics, including primary care and family planning clinics, public health departments, college and school-based health centers, independent abortion care clinics, and outpatient clinics in hospital settings. Measures included the availability of DMPA-SC for self-administration before and during the pandemic and the use of telemedicine. We used Poisson regression models and cluster-robust errors by clinic, adjusting for region, time of survey, and clinic size, to assess clinic availability of DMPA-SC for self-administration by practice setting.

RESULTS

Compared to the prepandemic period (4%), the availability of DMPA-SC for self-administration increased significantly during the pandemic (14%) (adjusted prevalence ratios [aPR] 3.43, 95% CI [2.43-4.85]). During the pandemic, independent abortion clinics were more likely to offer DMPA-SC for self-administration compared to primary care clinics (aPR 2.44, 95% CI [1.10-5.41]). Clinics receiving Title X funds were also more likely to provide DMPA-SC for self-administration during the pandemic compared to other clinics (aPR 2.32, 95% CI [1.57-3.43]), and more likely to offer DMPA-SC for self-administration through telemedicine (aPR 2.35, 95% CI [1.52-3.63]). Compared to the early pandemic period (April-September 2022), telemedicine access to DMPA-SC for self-administration was highest during the later pandemic time period (October 2021-April 2022) (aPR 2.10, 95% CI [1.06-4.17]).

CONCLUSIONS

The availability of DMPA-SC for self-administration significantly increased during the pandemic with differences by practice setting and Title X funding. However, overall method availability remains persistently low.

IMPLICATIONS

Despite increased availability of DMPA-SC for self-administration among US contraceptive providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a need to train providers, educate patients, and remove barriers to ensure broader availability of this method across different practice settings.

Single-Visit Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Initiation Among Adolescents Before and During COVID-19

PURPOSE

Single-visit long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is cost-effective and convenient. Our objective was to compare incidence of single-visit LARC placement and associated factors during the year before the COVID-19 pandemic (March 15, 2020) and the first year of the pandemic.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study analyzed electronic health records from a large healthcare system. Eligible adolescents were aged 10-19 years and received outpatient LARC from March 15, 2019 to March 14, 2021. Logistic regression models determined the relationship of patient and provider characteristics on single-visit LARC before and during COVID-19.

RESULTS

One thousand six adolescents initiated LARC during the study period. Fewer adolescents received single-visit LARC during COVID-19 (289/506, 57.1%) compared to before (315/500, 63.0%), although changes in odds of single-visit LARC were not statistically significant. Concordance between county of patient residence and the location of the LARC placement facility was associated with single-visit LARC before (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.75) and during (aOR = 1.74) the pandemic (both p < .05). During the pandemic, a few factors were associated with reduced odds of single-visit LARC: (1) public insurance (aOR = 0.49, p < .01), (2) nonobstetricians/nongynecologists providers (pediatrics [aOR = 0.35, p < .01], family medicine [aOR = 0.53, p < .01], or internal medicine [aOR = 0.14, p < .05]), and (3) advanced practice practitioners (aOR = 0.49, p < .01).

DISCUSSION

Incidence of single-visit LARC was similar before and during the pandemic. Certain factors were associated with lower odds of single-visit LARC insertion, suggesting differential access during the pandemic for subgroups of adolescents. Our findings may guide policy and programmatic interventions to improve access to single-visit LARC for all adolescent populations.

Optimizing Telehealth for Diabetes Management in the Deep South of the United States: Qualitative Study of Barriers and Facilitators on the Patient and Clinician Journey

BACKGROUND

The Deep South of the United States, and Louisiana in particular, bears a greater burden of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease compared with other regions in the United States. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a substantial increase in telehealth visits for diabetes management to protect the safety of patients. Although there have been significant advancements in telehealth and chronic disease management, little is known about patient and provider perspectives on the challenges and benefits of telehealth visits among people living with diabetes and providers who care for patients with diabetes in Louisiana.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore barriers, facilitators, challenges, and benefits to telehealth for patients with diabetes and health care providers as they transitioned from in-person to remote care during the early COVID-19 pandemic to understand potential optimization.

METHODS

A total of 24 semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 patients living with diabetes and 6 clinicians who served patients with diabetes to explore their experiences and perceptions of telehealth services for diabetes care. Approximately half of the participants identified as Black or African American, half as White, and 75% as female. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded by experienced qualitative researchers using inductive and deductive techniques. A narrative, descriptive approach to the patient and clinician journey framed the study, including the development of internal journey maps, and reflexive thematic analysis was applied to the transcripts, with special attention to barriers and facilitators.

RESULTS

In total, 5 themes illustrated barriers and facilitators for participants: convenience, safety, and comfort are the benefits of telehealth for patients and clinicians; yet telehealth and in-person visits are valued differently; the convenience of telehealth may have a downside; technology acts as a double-edged sword; and managing expectations and efficiency of the visit experience was an important factor. Individual experiences varied in relation to several factors, including comfort level and access to technology, health system protocols for providing telemedicine, and level of diabetes control among patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Recommendations for optimization include providing support to help guide and inform patients about what to expect and how to prepare for telehealth visits as well as allowing clinicians to schedule telehealth and in-person visits during discrete blocks of time to improve efficiency. Further research should address how hybrid models of telehealth and in-person care may differentially impact health outcomes for patients with diabetes, particularly for people with multiple chronic conditions in settings where access to technology and connectivity is not optimal.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on publicly supported clinics providing contraceptive services in four US states

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted contraceptive service provision in the United States (US). We aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the publicly supported family planning network at the provider level. This study adds to the literature documenting the challenges of the pandemic as well as how telehealth provision compares across timepoints.

Study design

We conducted a survey among sexual and reproductive health (SRH) providers at 96 publicly supported clinics in four US states asking about two timepoints-one early in the pandemic and one later in the pandemic. We used descriptive statistics to summarize the data.

Results

We found that almost one-third of sites reduced contraceptive services because of the pandemic, with a few temporarily stopping contraceptive services altogether. More sites stopped provision of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), Pap tests, and Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations than other methods or services. We also found that sites expanded some practices to make them more accessible to patients, such as extending existing contraceptive prescriptions without consultations for established patients and expanding telehealth visits for contraceptive counseling. In addition, sites reported high utilization of telehealth to provide contraceptive services.

Conclusions

Understanding how service delivery changed due to the pandemic and how telehealth can be used to provide SRH services sheds light on how these networks can best support providers and patients in the face of unprecedented crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Implications

This study demonstrates that providers increased provision of telehealth for sexual and reproductive health care during the COVID-19 pandemic; policymakers in the US should support continued reimbursement of telehealth care as well as resources to expand telehealth infrastructure. In addition, this study highlights the need for more research on telehealth quality.

Contraceptive care in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: A social media survey of contraceptive access, telehealth use and telehealth quality

OBJECTIVES

To examine demographic, socioeconomic, and regional differences in contraceptive access, differences between telehealth and in-person contraception visits, and telehealth quality in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

STUDY DESIGN

We surveyed reproductive-age women about contraception visits during the COVID-19 pandemic via social media in July 2020 and January 2021. We used multivariable regression to examine relationships between age, racial/ethnic identity, educational attainment, income, insurance type, region, and COVID-19 related hardship, and ability to obtain a contraceptive appointment, telehealth vs in-person visits, and telehealth quality scores.

RESULTS

Among 2031 respondents seeking a contraception visit, 1490 (73.4%) reported any visit, of which 530 (35.6%) were telehealth. In adjusted analyses, lower odds of any visit was associated with Hispanic/Latinx and Mixed race/Other identity (aOR 0.59 [0.37-0.94], aOR 0.36 [0.22-0.59], respectively), the South, Midwest, Northeast (aOR 0.63 [0.47-0.85], aOR 0.64 [0.46-0.90], aOR 0.52 [CI 0.36-0.75], respectively), no insurance (aOR 0.63 [0.43-0.91]), greater COVID-19 hardship (aOR 0.52 [0.31-0.87]), and earlier pandemic timing (January 2021 vs July 2020 aOR 2.14 [1.69-2.70]). Respondents from the Midwest and South had lower odds of telehealth vs in-person care (aOR 0.63 [0.44-0.88], aOR 0.54 [0.40-0.72], respectively). Hispanic/Latinx respondents and those in the Midwest had lower odds of high telehealth quality (aOR 0.37 [0.17-0.80], aOR 0.58 [0.35-0.95], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

We found inequities in contraceptive care access, less telehealth use for contraception visits in the South and Midwest, and lower telehealth quality among Hispanic/Latinx people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should focus on telehealth access, quality, and patients' preferences.

IMPLICATIONS

Historically marginalized groups have faced disproportionate barriers to contraceptive care, and telehealth for contraceptive care has not been employed equitably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though telehealth has the potential to improve access to care, inequitable implementation could exacerbate existing disparities.

Adapting Family Planning Service Delivery in Title X and School-Based Settings during COVID-19: Provider and Staff Experiences

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced urgent and unique challenges to family planning providers and staff in ensuring continued access to high-quality services, particularly for groups who experience greater barriers to accessing services, such as women with systemically marginalized identities and adolescents and young adults (AYA). While research has documented key adaptations made to service delivery during the early phase of the pandemic, limited studies have used qualitative methods. This paper draws on qualitative interview data from family planning providers and staff in Title-X-funded clinics and school-based clinics-two settings that serve populations that experience greater barriers to accessing care-to (a) describe the adaptations made to service delivery during the first year of the pandemic and (b) explore provider and staff experiences and impressions implementing these adaptations. In-depth interviews were conducted with 75 providers and staff between February 2020 and February 2021. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed via inductive content analysis followed by thematic analysis. Four key themes were identified: (1) Title-X- and school-based staff made multiple, concurrent adaptations to continue family planning services; (2) providers embraced flexibility for patient-centered care; (3) school-based staff faced unique challenges to reaching and serving youth; and (4) COVID-19 created key opportunities for innovation. The findings suggest several lasting changes to family planning service delivery and provider mindsets at clinics serving populations hardest hit by the pandemic. Future studies should evaluate promising practices in family planning service delivery-including telehealth and streamlined administrative procedures-and explore how these are experienced by diverse patient populations, particularly AYA and those in areas where privacy or internet access are limited.

Client experiences with telehealth using LINE for consultation and assessment of adverse effects of contraceptive implants during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand

Objective

This study aimed to examine clients' experiences with telehealth use for contraceptive implant consultation.

Methods

An online, self-administered survey was conducted with women who used contraceptive implants and faced adverse effects, inquired about side effects, or had concerns. Clients received consultations via LINE, which is a free chat application widely used in Thailand. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding their experiences and satisfaction within 7 days after using the service and a follow-up questionnaire to inquire about the need for in-person services 30 days after using the service.

Results

The participants were 200 women, with a response rate of 82%. Overall, 94% of participants were satisfied with the consultation. Moreover, 37.5% received a message response within 6 hours, and most (89.5%) got a response within 24 hours. The three most frequently reported symptoms were abnormal bleeding or spotting, mood swings, and itching or pain at the surgical site. Most adverse effects were managed through online consultation. Approximately one-third of the participants required in-person visits 30 days after telehealth consultation.

Conclusions

Telehealth consultation for contraceptive implant follow-up resulted in high client satisfaction. Most adverse effects could be managed using telehealth services. Therefore, telehealth could ensure sustained accessibility to reproductive healthcare during and post-COVID-19.