UW-Madison students’ access to contraceptives is just a phone call away with UHS’ introduction of telehealth consultation.
Telehealth contraception visits, over the phone consultations with a Woman’s Health provider, became available Wednesday.
To schedule a telehealth visit, patients must complete a health history form on myUHS and schedule a 10-minute phone call with a UHS medical staff member. The telehealth visit does not require patients to physically come to the UHS campus location.
UHS medical staff will inform callers about different forms of contraception and what will work best for them. UHS offers a variety of contraception, including birth control pills, IUDs, Depo-Provera shots, Nexplanon implants
Depending on the type of contraception that the patient decides on during their telehealth consultation, they will either schedule an in-person appointment or pick up their prescription from a pharmacy.
Dr. Mary Landry, a women’s health physician at UHS, said telehealth visits will allow patients who are short on time or fear discrimination based on their identity to have access to a wide variety of contraception.
“[Telehealth visits] will provide contraceptive access in an innovative way that reduces barriers,” Landry said.
Carolina Mora-Hurtado, a student medical assistant at UHS, said telehealth visits are perfect for those who are apprehensive about coming into UHS for an appointment.
“We are trying to reach the students who don’t typically visit UHS,” Mora-Hurtado said.
Samantha Crowley, a student medical assistant at UHS, agreed by adding, “We are hoping this service will make students feel more comfortable.”
Mora-Hurtado said this service will also be more convenient for all patients using UHS. By eliminating the preliminary in-person consultation for contraception, there are more appointments available for patients facing urgent issues.
