Telehealth multidisciplinary prenatal consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic: enhancing patient care coordination while maintaining high provider satisfaction

Autor: Angela Hargis-Villanueva, Krista Lai, Kathleen van Leeuwen, Erica M. Weidler, Jessica Felts, Alicia Schmidt, Wayne J. Franklin, Christopher Lindblade, Gregory C. Martin, Avinash S. Patil, Luis F. Goncalves
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: The journal of maternal-fetalneonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians. 35(25)
ISSN: 1476-4954
Popis: Comprehensive fetal care centers address congenital anomalies by developing pre- and post-natal care plans in a multidisciplinary format. To reduce exposure during the Coronavirus Infectious Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Centers for MedicareMedicaid Services (CMS) broadened access to telehealth services. We assessed provider satisfaction with the rapid transition from in-person prenatal visits to multidisciplinary consultationsPatients referred to an urban academic fetal care center during the first 6 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic underwent advanced imaging including fetal MRI, focused ultrasound, and fetal echocardiography. Subsequently, multidisciplinary telehealth consultations occurred with all providers attending virtually. Patients were given the option of attending the multidisciplinary telehealth consultation in a conference room in the hospital or from home. During these meetings, relevant images were reviewed with all participantsTwenty-two surveys were administered with a response rate of 82%. 89% of providers were highly satisfied with the telehealth format. 72% of providers would prefer the multidisciplinary telehealth format to an in-person visit for future visits after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. 22% of providers would leave the choice to the patient's family. One provider preferred in-person visits. Some providers noted that virtual conferences limited the ability to draw pictures, show educational materials, and provide emotional support.Providers were overwhelmingly supportive of continuing multidisciplinary telehealth conferences for complex prenatal consultations, even after restrictions are lifted, which has led to the continuation of this model for the duration of the pandemic. Providers highlighted the convenience and improved care coordination across specialties. Further studies to examine the patient experience with virtual consultations are warranted.
Databáze: OpenAIRE