N C Med J. 2025 Jun 26;86(3). doi: 10.18043/001c.141315.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We sought to characterize changes in single-visit long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) placement before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina.
METHODS: We utilized an interrupted time series analysis to characterize single-visit LARC placement after the start of the pandemic across a state-wide health care system.
RESULTS: Within our cohort of 4591 patients receiving a LARC, 70.36% received single-visit LARC before and 66.98% after the start of the pandemic (odds ratio [OR] = 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 – 0.97). There was a slight monthly decrease in the likelihood of single-visit LARC after the pandemic started (0.001, 95% CI: -0.004 – 0.005).
LIMITATIONS: Limitations include the electronic health record data-based abstraction of variables, as well as the inability to assess patient preferences in visit scheduling.
CONCLUSIONS: Rapid increases in telehealth were associated with slight decreases in single-visit LARC placement. Further study is needed to better understand patient goals and experiences, as well as clinical and public health impacts surrounding the use of telehealth for contraceptive care.
PMID:41802991 | DOI:10.18043/001c.141315
