We compare adherence to first-trimester medication abortion between in-person and telemedicine users at Profamilia clinics in Colombia. Adherence to medication abortion was defined as following the prescribed timing and administration route by Profamilia’s protocol, which aligns with WHO guidelines.
A prospective cohort study was conducted from February to July 2024. Participants included medication abortion users from Profamilia clinics in Bogotá, Medellín, Bucaramanga and Tunja (in-person care) and all telemedicine medication abortion users. Of 961 participants, 375 (39%) accessed in-person care and 586 (61%) used telemedicine. Surveys were conducted after the initial consultation (we measured sociodemographic characteristics, appointment scheduling and care satisfaction) and 21 days later (we asked self-reported medication abortion treatment adherence: administration route and timing).
We included as independent variables modality of care (in-person vs telemedicine) and satisfaction, a proxy for quality of care, defined as rating both appointment scheduling and medical care as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. We…