Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42530925›Full record

ArticleJAMA network open2026

Knowledge of Remote Medication Abortion Among Patients Traveling From States That Restrict Abortion.

Anna E Fiastro, Elissa M Brown, Lucrecia Mena-Meléndez, Victoria Lomax Kvitek, Samantha Fredman, Mary Stoa, Wendy V Norman, Sarah Munro, Emily M Godfrey

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JAMA network open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Anna E FiastroDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
Elissa M BrownDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
Lucrecia Mena-MeléndezDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Victoria Lomax KvitekDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
Samantha FredmanDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
Mary StoaDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
Wendy V NormanDepartment of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Sarah MunroDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
Emily M GodfreyDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Importance: Following widespread state-level restrictions, millions seeking abortion in the US cannot access local clinic-based care and must travel long distances or utilize remote medication abortion. Understanding factors shaping care decisions can improve access in restrictive legal environments. Objective: To explore how individuals traveling from states with restrictions on abortion provision perceive remote medication abortion and to identify factors affecting their care decisions. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this qualitative study, one-on-one, virtual, in-depth interviews were conducted at an abortion clinic in Kansas. Participants included English-speaking and Spanish-speaking patients who traveled from states that restrict abortion provision to Kansas for medication abortion care from March to September 2025. Audio was transcribed, analyzed in Dedoose, and summarized using an inductive-deductive thematic approach. Exposures: Out-of-state travel for abortion care. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes were awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of remote medication abortion and factors shaping care decisions. Results: Among 37 patients (median [IQR] age, 27 [24-30] years; 24 Texas residents [65%]), 26 (70%) were aware of remote medication abortion before traveling, and 7 (19%) considered it. Barriers included privacy and legal concerns, discouragement from health care resources, and lack of response from online intake. Eleven patients (30%) learned about remote medication abortion after traveling; 6 patients (16%) expressed retrospective interest. Awareness was more common among those with more education and Texas residency. Participants were uncertain about the legality of remote care and legitimacy of sources; they questioned the discretion and timeliness of mail delivery and the security of sharing personal information online. Participants desired clinical reassurance, minimal legal risk, and in-person guidance. After traveling, most retained a preference for in-person care, but some were open to remote options. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study of patients who traveled to Kansas for medication abortion, awareness of remote care was high, yet participants prioritized the professional oversight and legal security of in-clinic care. These findings suggest that for travelers, human connection and clinic credibility outweighed the convenience of remote options. Enhancing the legitimacy of online sources and clear legal guidance are essential for optimizing remote care as a viable alternative to out-of-state travel.

Indexed as

Abortion, InducedHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeTravelAdultFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHumansKansasPregnancyQualitative ResearchYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID42530925
PMCPMC13425190

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.