"The Closer, the Better:" The Role of Telehealth in Increasing Contraceptive Access Among Women in Rural South Carolina.

BACKGROUND

Rural populations face unique health disparities that prevent women from accessing reproductive health care services. Telehealth initiatives offer a health care delivery tool to increase access to contraception.

OBJECTIVE

To understand women's contraceptive needs and perceptions of accessing contraception through telehealth services.

METHODS

Researchers conducted 52 in-depth interviews with women ages 18-44 years living in five rural counties in South Carolina from May to July 2015. Researchers employed constant comparative data analysis using HyperRESEARCH 3.7.2.

RESULTS

Most participants identified as Black (62%) or White (28%). Findings suggest successful telehealth interventions should accommodate women's complex and nuanced community views, including benefits and barriers of telehealth, to improve access to contraceptive methods in rural locations. In addition, telehealth initiatives should frame contraception as contributing to women's overall health and well-being.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

Telehealth initiatives may address barriers to contraceptive access in rural locations. Findings from this study offer theoretical and practical opportunities to guide telehealth interventions that support and empower women's access to contraceptive methods in rural areas.