A scheduling tool to increase patient-centered telehealth contraceptive care
Contraception
Awarded 2022
Contraceptive equity in telehealth
Sara Neill, MD, MPH
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
$25,000

The use of telehealth has rapidly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic; due to its expeditious implementation, systems designed for in-person care are currently being used to deliver telehealth care. In-person visits for contraception decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth contraceptive care offers many advantages for patients, including the ability to remain in a familiar environment, decreased disruption to work or family care, and decreased transit costs, among others. However, telehealth care presents challenges for patients without access to phone or internet, access to safe and private spaces, language barriers and disabilities. It is currently unknown if there are inequities in accessing contraceptive care via telehealth, and how we can address these inequities and provide contraceptive care types most appropriate for each patient’s need. Further, first interactions with health systems staff and clinicians may have a lasting impact on patient satisfaction and engagement in care. Here, we propose a study that will 1. Describe the population of patients accessing telehealth contraceptive care at a tertiary care center and 2. Develop and pilot a scheduling tool to improve patient-centeredness of contraceptive care Telehealth scheduling.