Creating a Telemedicine Network of Specialists in Maternal-Fetal Medicine: A Prospective Cohort Study.
Kathrin OelmeierRalf SchmitzMareike MöllersDaniela WillyMarina SourouniKathleen SondernHelen Ann KösterGunita ApsiteMaria EveslageKaren FischhuberMichael StorckJan WohlmannChristian JuhraPublished in: Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association (2023)
Background: Even before coronavirus disease 2019, integrating telemedicine into routine health care has become increasingly attractive. Evidence regarding the benefits of telemedicine in prenatal care is still inconclusive. As one of the largest sectors of preventive medicine with a relative paucity of specialists in maternal-fetal medicine (MFM), the implementation of telemedicine solutions into prenatal care is promising. Our objective aimed at establishing a telemedicine network of specialists in MFM for interprofessional exchange regarding high-risk pregnancies. Furthermore, the aims were to evaluate the providers' attitude toward the telemedicine solutions and to quantify the number of inpatient appointments that were avoided through interprofessional video consultations. Methods: This prospective trial was part of a larger telemedicine project funded by the European Regional Development Fund. MFM experts were brought together using the ELVI software. A questionnaire was designed for the evaluation of video consultations. The responses were analyzed by the exact McNemar-Bowker test to compare planned procedures before and after video consultation. Results: An interprofessional network of specialists in prenatal ultrasound was established with a total of 140 evaluations for statistical analysis. Interprofessional video communication was viewed favorably by providers. Overall, 47% (33/70) of the scheduled visits were avoided after video consultation. The providers' tendency to refrain from sending their patients to the University Hospital Münster was statistically noticeable ( p = 0.048). Conclusions: Interprofessional exchange through video consultation holds great potential in the context of prenatal care. More prospective research is needed to clearly establish the most beneficial standard of care for both patients and providers. Clinical trial registration number: 2019-683-f-S.
Keyphrases
- palliative care
- healthcare
- quality improvement
- patient safety
- clinical trial
- end stage renal disease
- pregnant women
- coronavirus disease
- ejection fraction
- chronic kidney disease
- newly diagnosed
- magnetic resonance imaging
- primary care
- prognostic factors
- randomized controlled trial
- pain management
- study protocol
- general practice
- body mass index
- computed tomography
- health insurance
- mental health
- climate change
- patient reported
- weight loss
- chronic pain
- data analysis
- health information
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- molecular dynamics
- psychometric properties