Satisfaction with and Feasibility of Prenatal Counseling via Telemedicine: A Prospective Cohort Study.
Kathrin OelmeierRalf SchmitzMareike MöllersJanina BraunDaniela DehardeMarina SourouniHelen Ann KösterGunita ApsiteMaria EveslageKaren FischhuberMichael StorckFranziska EmmingJan WohlmannChristian JuhraPublished in: Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association (2021)
Introduction: Telemedicine has become increasingly important over the past decade. With the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic, demands for remote health care solutions have seen an unprecedented rise. However, many questions regarding the feasibility and benefits of telemedicine remain. The aim of our study was to evaluate both the technical feasibility and patient satisfaction with video consultations in a tertiary center for obstetric care. Materials and Methods: This prospective single-center trial was part of the larger open Video Service project on telemedicine at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the University of Münster. Patients requiring prenatal or prepregnancy counseling were included. A questionnaire was designed for the evaluation of patient satisfaction and filled in by both patient and health care provider at the end of the video consultation. Results: Of 80 eligible cases, 75 video consultations were carried out and data from the questionnaire were collected. Overall patient satisfaction was high (95%, 71/75) although technical problems occurred in 37% (29/75) of the appointments. Health care providers' satisfaction was equally high and in 88% (66/75) of cases, remote consultations avoided an in-house visit without effect on health care quality. Conclusions: Remote consultations are feasible and yield high satisfaction rates even in a medical field as sensitive as perinatal medicine. Further research is necessary to determine the cost-effectiveness and effects on perinatal outcome. Health care systems should be offered clear guidance on medicolegal issues and funding of remote consultations to integrate telemedicine into routine health care.
Keyphrases
- healthcare
- patient satisfaction
- pregnant women
- general practice
- mental health
- quality improvement
- palliative care
- clinical trial
- end stage renal disease
- affordable care act
- ejection fraction
- randomized controlled trial
- newly diagnosed
- cross sectional
- electronic health record
- physical activity
- patient reported
- artificial intelligence
- psychometric properties
- hepatitis c virus
- human immunodeficiency virus
- men who have sex with men
- data analysis
- weight gain
- minimally invasive
- social media
- health insurance
- pain management
- hiv testing