Telemedicine provides various type of service

Dr. Patricia Goodmote’s letter regarding telemedicine at Planned Parenthood is full of misinformation and exaggerations intended to scare readers into opposing a proven safe and legal medical procedure.

Telemedicine is a delivery system used in the field of medicine. This is not something new. Telemedicine is used to deliver everything from cardiology care, to psychiatric consultations, surgery and yes, medication abortion. A patient is never isolated or neglected as Dr. Goodemote suggests. A medical provider is always with the patient, and the doctor provides the exact same care. The only difference is how the medication is provided - a woman is physically handed medication, or she retrieves the medication from a secured drawer the doctor has provided. There is absolutely no difference in care.

Surveys have shown that patients feel very satisfied utilizing the telemedicine system to receive medication for an abortion. If telemedicine is such a destructive method to deliver health services, why does Dr. Goodemote admit to using telemedicine herself? The use of this technology increases access to care for many of us in rural parts of Iowa and the country. Dr. Goodemote appears to demonize the entire practice simply because of her personal opposition to abortion.

To claim that care at Planned Parenthood lacks compassion is infuriating. Each year, thousands of Iowa women rely on Planned Parenthood as a trusted health provider. These women understand that they can receive quality, affordable care from a compassionate staff in a judgment-free environment. This does not appear to be the case in Dr. Goodemote’s office, where she has made it clear that her personal beliefs outweigh the needs and decisions of her patients.

Lynn Adams is a Red Oak resident.