Confidentiality and privacy considerations for adolescents receiving contraceptive health services via telemedicine: A narrative review

Confidential medical care for adolescent patients is essential as they are likely to forgo needed care if privacy cannot be maintained. The use of telemedicine for adolescent health has rapidly expanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic and can increase access to important services like reproductive care; however, it has raised challenges for providers, patients, and their parents/guardians related to confidentiality and privacy. Health care providers are often uncertain about the laws and regulations that govern confidential services including the 21st Century Cures Act. Through a narrative review of studies on confidentiality and telemedicine, this article seeks to summarize the available evidence and provide recommendations on maintaining privacy during virtual encounters and identify current best practices for prescribing contraception via telemedicine. Confidentiality and privacy considerations for adolescents receiving contraceptive care via telemedicineThe use of telemedicine for adolescent health has rapidly expanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic and can expand access to important services like reproductive care; however, it has raised challenges for providers, patients, and their parents/guardians related to confidentiality and privacy. It is well established by several professional medical societies that contraceptive services should be provided to adolescent patients in a confidential manner; however, health care providers are often uncertain about the laws and regulations that govern confidential services or how to provide these services virtually. Telemedicine is becoming more widespread but will not be an adequate model of care for adolescents as they may avoid necessary medical care if privacy and confidentiality cannot be maintained. This article aims to summarize available literature, provide recommendations on maintaining privacy during virtual patient visits, and identify current best practices for prescribing contraception via telemedicine.