Telehealth use in maternity care during a pandemic: A lot of bad, some good and possibility.
Women Birth
; 37(2): 419-427, 2024 Mar.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38218652
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
To reduce transmission risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, 'telehealth' (health care delivered via telephone/video-conferencing) was implemented into Australian maternity services. Whilst some reports on telehealth implementation ensued, there was scant evidence on women and midwives' perspectives regarding telehealth use.METHODS:
A qualitative study was conducted in Australia during 2020-2021 using two data sources from the Birth in the Time of COVID-19 (BITTOC) study i) interviews and ii) surveys (open-text responses). Content analysis was utilised to analyse the data and explore telehealth from the perspective of midwives and women accessing maternity care services. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 women and 16 midwives. Survey responses were provided from 687 midwives and 2525 women who were pregnant or gave birth in 2021, generating 212 and 812 comments respectively.FINDINGS:
Telehealth delivery was variable nationally and undertaken primarily by telephone/videoconferencing. Perceived benefits included reduced COVID-19 transmission risk, increased flexibility, convenience and cost efficiency. However, women described inadequate assessment, and negative impacts on communication and rapport development. Midwives had similar concerns and also reported technological challenges.CONCLUSION:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth offered flexibility, convenience and cost efficiency whilst reducing COVID-19 transmission, yet benefits came at a cost. Telehealth may particularly suit women in rural and remote areas, however, it also has the potential to further reduce equitable, and appropriate care delivery for those at greatest risk of poor outcomes. Telehealth may play an adjunct role in post-pandemic maternity services, but is not a suitable replacement to traditional face-to-face maternity care.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Telemedicina
/
COVID-19
/
Servicios de Salud Materna
Tipo de estudio:
Qualitative_research
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
País/Región como asunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Women Birth
Asunto de la revista:
ENFERMAGEM
/
OBSTETRICIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
Países Bajos