Family Physicians' Role in Simplifying Medication Abortion During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Despite first trimester abortion being common and safe, there are numerousrestrictions that lead to barriers to seeking abortion care. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these barriers, as many state legislators push to limit abortion access even further. During this pandemic, family physicians across the country have incorporated telemedicine into their practices to continue to meet patient needs. Medication abortion can be offered to patients by telemedicine in most states, and multiple studies have shown that labs, imaging, and physical exam may not be essential in all cases. Family physicians are well-poised to incorporate medication abortion into their practices using approaches that limit the spread of the coronavirus,ultimately increasing access to abortion in these unprecedented times.