ArticleBMJ global health2026
Transforming reproductive healthcare delivery through telemedicine services expansion: evidence from a mixed-methods pilot evaluation in rural Ghana.
Article in BMJ global health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundIn 2021, Ghana's National Comprehensive Abortion Care Standards and Protocols recognised telemedicine as an approved delivery model for early medical abortion (EMA). Following a successful pilot in Accra, MSI Reproductive Choices Ghana expanded their telemedicine model to more rural areas and broadened their package of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to include fertility evaluation. This study evaluates the expanded model.
methodsA mixed-methods evaluation (January 2024 to March 2025) drew on routine clinical data, courier and call centre tracking, client feedback surveys, and qualitative, individual in-depth interviews with telemedicine clients to assess clinical safety, service utilisation and user experience. Quantitative analysis included descriptive statistics and unadjusted logistic and ordinal regression. Qualitative interviews with clients explored feasibility, acceptability and implementation challenges. A deductive, thematic analysis was conducted with the support of Delve qualitative research software and guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.
resultsA total of 2721 clients accessed telemedicine services, with 70.0% receiving EMA and 29.5% short-term contraceptive methods. Among EMA clients reached for follow-up, 96.9% reported complete abortion with no further intervention. Satisfaction was high: 89.4% would recommend the service, and 78.2% would use it again. Qualitative findings highlighted that clients valued privacy, convenience and autonomy, particularly in stigmatised or crowded spaces. Barriers to accessing services included unclear eligibility criteria, limited digital access and misperceptions that the service was for abortion only. Most clients contacted the service between 4 and 6 weeks' gestation. Post-abortion contraception uptake was 24.8%, with no significant variation by age or location. Nearly half of clients reported having no other way to access care.
conclusionsTelemedicine is a feasible, safe and acceptable model for SRH delivery in Ghana. Findings will inform national scale-up and strategies to strengthen equity, communication and service integration.
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