Business as usual during the COVID-19 pandemic? Reflections on state-wide trends in maternity telehealth consultations during lockdown in Victoria and New South Wales.
Stephanie PotenzaMelvin Barrientos MarzanDaniel Lorber RolnikKirsten PalmerJoanne M SaidClare WhiteheadPenelope SheehanBen-Willem J MolSusan WalkerLisa HuiPublished in: The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology (2021)
COVID-19 has resulted in unprecedented changes to maternity care across Australia. This study aims to analyse trends in maternity consultations and the uptake of telehealth in Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) since the first restrictions to reduce COVID-19 transmission were implemented. From March 2020 to April 2021, a higher proportion of antenatal care consultations was delivered via telehealth in Victoria compared to NSW (13.8% vs 7.4%, P < 0.0001). Uptake of telehealth and a shift from in-person care has been a major contributor to maintaining pregnancy care during pandemic restrictions. However, further research is required to understand women's perspectives and health outcomes.