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OBJECTIVE: We describe the development and structure of a novel mobile application in a mixed model of prenatal care, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, we assess the acceptability of this mobile app in a cohort of patients. METHODS: First, we introduced a mixed model of prenatal care; second, we developed a comprehensive, computer-based clinical record to support our system. Lastly, we built a novel mobile app as a tool for prenatal care. We used Flutter Software version 2.2 to build the app for Android and iOS smartphones. A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the acceptability of the app. RESULTS: A mobile app was also built with the main attribute of being connected in real-time with the computer-based clinical records. The app screens detail information about activities programmed and developed in the prenatal care according to gestational age. A downloadable maternity book is available and some screens show warning signs and symptoms of pregnancy. The acceptability assessment was mostly rated positively regarding the characteristics of the mobile app, by 50 patients. CONCLUSION: This novel mobile app was developed as a tool among pregnant patients to increase the information available about their pregnancies in the provision of a mixed model of prenatal care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was fully customized to the needs of our users following the local protocols. The introduction of this novel mobile app was highly accepted by the patients.

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Abstract Objective We describe the development and structure of a novel mobile application in a mixed model of prenatal care, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, we assess the acceptability of this mobile app in a cohort of patients. Methods First, we introduced a mixed model of prenatal care; second, we developed a comprehensive, computer-based clinical record to support our system. Lastly, we built a novel mobile app as a tool for prenatal care. We used Flutter Software version 2.2 to build the app for Android and iOS smartphones. A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the acceptability of the app. Results A mobile app was also built with the main attribute of being connected in real-time with the computer-based clinical records. The app screens detail information about activities programmed and developed in the prenatal care according to gestational age. A downloadable maternity book is available and some screens show warning signs and symptoms of pregnancy. The acceptability assessment was mostly rated positively regarding the characteristics of the mobile app, by 50 patients. Conclusion This novel mobile app was developed as a tool among pregnant patients to increase the information available about their pregnancies in the provision of a mixed model of prenatal care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was fully customized to the needs of our users following the local protocols. The introduction of this novel mobile app was highly accepted by the patients.

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OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the characteristics of a telemonitoring program that was rapidly implemented in our institution as a response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as the maternal and perinatal outcomes of women who attended this program. STUDY: DESIGN: Retrospective study of patients via phone-call telemonitoring during the peak period of the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020-August 2020). Maternal and perinatal outcomes were collected and described. Health providers' satisfaction with the telemonitoring program was assessed via an email survey. RESULTS: Twenty-three (69.7%) health providers answered the survey. The mean age was 64.5 years, 91.3% were OB/GYN (obstetrician-gynecologist) doctors, and 95% agreed that telemonitoring is an adequate method to provide health care when in-person visits are difficult. The 78.7% of scheduled telemonitoring consultations were finally completed. We performed 2,181 telemonitoring consultations for 616 pregnant women and 544 telemonitoring consultations for puerperal women. Other medical specialties offering telemonitoring included gynecology, reproductive health, family planning, cardiology, endocrinology, and following up with patients with reactive serology to severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The majority of the population attending our telemonitoring program were categorized as the lowest strata, i.e., III and IV, according to the Human Development Index, and approximately 42% were deemed as high-risk pregnant women. Additionally, we reported the perinatal outcomes of 424 (63%) pregnant women, the most relevant finding being that approximately 53% of them had cesarean sections. CONCLUSION: Telemonitoring is an adequate method of continuing the provision of prenatal care when in-person visits are difficult in situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemonitoring is feasible even in institutions with no or little experience in telemedicine. The perinatal outcomes in women with telemonitoring seem to be similar to that in the general population. KEY POINTS: · Telemonitoring for prenatal care is feasible even in low-income countries and in a critical scenario.. · OB/GYN doctors agreed with that telemonitoring is an adequate method to provide prenatal care.. · Maternal and perinatal outcomes are similar in women attending a telemonitoring program..

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La pandemia del coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) y las medidas instauradas para su control significaron la interrupción de la atención prenatal, con potencial riesgo en la salud materna y fetal. Por otro lado, la atención prenatal convencional presencial implicaría exposición y riesgo de infección en pacientes y proveedores de salud. El Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal (INMP) ha incorporado la teleconsulta como parte de un nuevo modelo de atención prenatal mixto, cuyo objetivo es disminuir las citas presenciales y, por tanto, el contacto y riesgo de transmisión viral. El paquete de atención prenatal incluye actividades esenciales para atender gestantes en edades gestacionales específicas con mayor impacto en los desenlaces perinatales y maternos. Este nuevo modelo podría generalizarse a nivel nacional y ser parte de la solución a las disparidades de atención en el Perú, mediante políticas del uso de la telemedicina en la atención prenatal que faciliten su implementación, así como su sostenibilidad después de la pandemia de COVID-19.

The coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic and the measures implemented for its control meant the interruption of prenatal care, with potential risk to maternal and fetal health. However, conventional in-person prenatal care would imply exposure and risk of infection in patients and health care providers. The Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal (INMP) has incorporated teleconsultation as part of a new model of mixed prenatal care, which aims to reduce in-person appointments and, therefore, the contact and risk of viral transmission. The prenatal care package performs essential activities to care for pregnant women of specific gestational ages with a greater impact on perinatal and maternal outcomes. This new model could be generalized nationally and be part of the solution to the disparities of healthcare in Peru, through policies for the use of telemedicine in prenatal care that facilitate its implementation, as well as its sustainability after the COVID-19 pandemic.