Perinatal Telehealth: Meeting Patients Where They Are

Perinatal Telehealth: Meeting Patients Where They Are

Introduction Prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, studies of innovative telehealth perinatal care models showed similar clinical outcomes and perceived quality of care between groups receiving a combination of virtual video and in‐person visits. However, these studies included...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of midwifery & women's health Vol. 69; no. 1; pp. 9 - 16
Main Authors: Kissler, Katherine, Thumm, E. Brie, Smith, Denise C., Anderson, Jessica L., Wood, Rachel E., Johnson, Rachel, Roberts, Mia, Carmitchel‐Fifer, Alex, Patterson, Nicole, Amura, Claudia R., Barton, Amy J., Jones, Jacqueline
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-01-2024
Subjects:
Access
Clinical outcomes
COVID-19
Empowerment
Ethnicity
Health care
health care disparity
Health disparities
health equity
innovation diffusion
Innovations
Medical personnel
Midwifery
Nurse led care
Pandemics
Patient-centered care
Patients
Perinatal care
Postpartum depression
Postpartum period
Pregnancy
prenatal care
Qualitative research
Quality of care
Race
Rural areas
rural health
Telemedicine
innovation diffusion
telemedicine
postpartum period
midwifery
health equity
postpartum depression
qualitative research
health care disparity
rural health
prenatal care
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Summary:Introduction Prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, studies of innovative telehealth perinatal care models showed similar clinical outcomes and perceived quality of care between groups receiving a combination of virtual video and in‐person visits. However, these studies included primarily White, English‐speaking participants, excluding those who were economically disenfranchised or did not speak English. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe perinatal patients’ and providers’ experiences with telehealth during and after the acute phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic to inform future utilization of telehealth to drive the delivery of high‐quality, accessible, and equitable perinatal care to diverse communities. Methods This descriptive qualitative study included a purposive sample of 14 patients and 17 providers who received or provided perinatal care via telehealth in either a certified nurse‐midwifery practice or the nurse‐family partnership care model between March 2020 and April 2022. Maximum variation sampling offered a diverse population based on race, ethnicity, and rurality. Researchers conducted 2 rounds of semistructured interviews with a focus on understanding social and geographic context. Results Six themes were identified through inductive analysis: (1) unexpected advantages of telehealth, (2) patient empowerment, (3) providers’ fear of adverse outcomes, (4) concern for equitable care, (5) strategies to enhance the telehealth experience, and (6) strategies to address access to perinatal telehealth. Patients appreciated the increased ease and reduced cost of accessing visits, which led to fewer missed appointments. Health care providers saw great opportunity in telehealth but expressed concerns about accessibility for patients with language barriers or limited resources. Discussion This study provides insight into priorities for continued telehealth utilization focused on providing equitable access to perinatal care. Rather than returning to practices from before the COVID‐19 pandemic formed from longstanding routines and perceived limitations, providers are encouraged to capitalize on the rapid innovations in telehealth to build a more effective, equitable, and patient‐centered approach to perinatal care.
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ISSN:1526-9523
1542-2011
DOI:10.1111/jmwh.13560