1009 Provider satisfaction with telehealth for maternity care: a rapid assessment of a national survey

Abstract

To describe satisfaction with telehealth for maternity-care during the COVID19 pandemic and assess differences by provider specialty, location, and patient panel. Web-based survey of telehealth among maternity care providers from 7/14 – 9/15/2020 (COVID-19 pandemic). Providers were sampled through national professional organizations. Respondents provided individual and practice demographic information. A validated survey was used to measure satisfaction with telehealth. Satisfaction scores were compared between reported characteristics. Analyses were conducted with STATA 15; p<0.05 was significant. 217 providers completed the survey, representing 46 states. 84 (39%) practiced in a rural/small town and 126 (60%) in a suburban/urban location. Respondents were from the following specialties: General Ob/Gyn (21%), MFM (17%), Family Medicine (43%), and Midwifery (17%). Mean years of experience was 14.4 (SD 10.2) and 48% reported a practice size > 7. 60% estimated that Medicaid covered >50% of their patient panel. Overall, most providers agreed with positive telehealth statements, but MFM providers were least likely to find telehealth an acceptable way to provide care compared to other provider types (15% vs. 21, 24, 37%, p=0.002) (Table 2). 70% of respondents would like to continue telehealth beyond the pandemic. There was a statistically significant preference to continue use regardless of provider or practice characteristic (Figure 1). Notably, providers with age above 50 significantly desired to stop using telehealth after the pandemic (78% vs. 22%, p<0.001). Maternity care providers who responded to the national query felt that telehealth is a positive addition and should continue beyond the pandemic. This sampling of providers may not represent the breadth of maternity providers across the country and provides preliminary data. Systematic inquiry of maternity provider perceptions and quality assessment, (e.g. patient reported outcomes) are necessary to understand providers, patients, and practices that most benefit from telehealth.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)