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Background <p>Access to medical abortion services in rural India faces multiple barriers, contributing to a high proportion of unsafe abortions. While telemedicine is recommended by the World Health Organization to improve access, its potential for medical abortions remains underutilized. This study explored facilitators and barriers perceived by multiple stakeholders, regarding the adoption of medical abortion services via telemedicine (medical teleabortion) in rural central India.</p> Methods <p>A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using In-Depth Interviews (IDIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). The study was set in a rural field practice area, a tertiary care facility, and the High Court in Nagpur. Participants included seven beneficiaries, ten Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), seven healthcare providers (HCPs), nine lawyers, and three judges. Data were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach and framework analysis.</p> Results <p>Perceived facilitators included perceived benefits like reduced travel time and ease of follow-up care, and the crucial role of ASHAs in building trust and disseminating information. However, significant barriers emerged, including the inability to conduct physical examinations remotely, fear of clinical complications, legal ambiguity, and a lack of digital literacy among beneficiaries. Beneficiaries expressed apprehension about distant care and preferred the reassurance of in-person consultations. Furthermore, legal personnel and HCPs emphasized the absolute necessity of physical evaluation and clear regulatory guidelines to prevent misuse.</p> Conclusion <p>While healthcare providers and community health workers strongly perceived the utility of medical teleabortion, legal personnel and beneficiaries remained apprehensive. Its implementation requires clear legal frameworks, improved community awareness, and a structured Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) to RMP consultation model integrating primary and tertiary care.</p>

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A multistakeholder perspective on implementing medical teleabortion services in central India: a qualitative exploration

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月7日

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  • Priyanka Yadav,
  • Mubashshera Khan,
  • Anita Yadav,
  • Akanksha Dani,
  • Amol R. Dongre,
  • Pradeep R. Deshmukh

摘要

Background

Access to medical abortion services in rural India faces multiple barriers, contributing to a high proportion of unsafe abortions. While telemedicine is recommended by the World Health Organization to improve access, its potential for medical abortions remains underutilized. This study explored facilitators and barriers perceived by multiple stakeholders, regarding the adoption of medical abortion services via telemedicine (medical teleabortion) in rural central India.

Methods

A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using In-Depth Interviews (IDIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). The study was set in a rural field practice area, a tertiary care facility, and the High Court in Nagpur. Participants included seven beneficiaries, ten Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), seven healthcare providers (HCPs), nine lawyers, and three judges. Data were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach and framework analysis.

Results

Perceived facilitators included perceived benefits like reduced travel time and ease of follow-up care, and the crucial role of ASHAs in building trust and disseminating information. However, significant barriers emerged, including the inability to conduct physical examinations remotely, fear of clinical complications, legal ambiguity, and a lack of digital literacy among beneficiaries. Beneficiaries expressed apprehension about distant care and preferred the reassurance of in-person consultations. Furthermore, legal personnel and HCPs emphasized the absolute necessity of physical evaluation and clear regulatory guidelines to prevent misuse.

Conclusion

While healthcare providers and community health workers strongly perceived the utility of medical teleabortion, legal personnel and beneficiaries remained apprehensive. Its implementation requires clear legal frameworks, improved community awareness, and a structured Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) to RMP consultation model integrating primary and tertiary care.