Virtual Prenatal Care During a Pandemic: How Satisfying Is It to the Caregivers and the Patients?

Abstract

Background: To inform post-pandemic obstetric care, we sought to explore the perceptions of the new virtual prenatal care model by patients and physicians.

Methods: The study is a cross-sectional survey of the patients attending the prenatal clinic and physicians during the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Fifty-three patient-satisfaction and 14 physician-satisfaction questionnaires were collected. Scores were compared between the traditional model and the virtual care model.

Results: Mean patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher with regular visits compared to virtual visits (4.56 vs. 4.43, P = 0.023). This difference was more pronounced in women with previous poor obstetric outcomes. While women found their physicians to be friendlier on virtual visits, traditional visits allowed for easier scheduling. Differences in age, ethnicity, distance to travel and working status did not lessen the satisfaction.

Conclusions: Mothers were less satisfied with virtual prenatal care telehealth services, especially vulnerable patient populations. Special considerations may be helpful for women with previous poor obstetric outcomes.

J Clin Gynecol Obstet. 2022;11(3):62-68
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jcgo817