Acceptability of telemedicine among patients undergoing prenatal and postnatal care in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

BACKGROUND: While COVID-19 spreads rapidly around the world, innovative means to provide continuing prenatal care are being developed to monitor maternal and fetal health while minimizing disease transmission. Telemedicine is one platform by which patients are provided the necessary prenatal and postpartum care safely as the pandemic rages. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the acceptability of telemedicine in the delivery of prenatal and postnatal care in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Manila. A structured Likert scale-based survey consisting of a model measuring telemedicine perception was utilized. This was a predeveloped model by Lin in 2017.[1] Descriptive statistical analysis and Chi-square tests were done to evaluate the data. RESULTS: A total of 193 pregnant and postpartum patients participated in the study. Majority of the respondents were between 25 and 34 years old, living within Metro Manila, and normal obstetric patients who were previously seen at the outpatient department. Most of the participants considered telemedicine to be cost-effective, reliable, easy to use, and useful. CONCLUSION: We conclude that telemedicine is an acceptable means of providing prenatal and postnatal care among pregnant patients because it allowed the necessary interaction between patient and doctor and these “users” kept on using the system. There was no association between telemedicine perceptions and patient age, place of residence, type of patient encounter, disease, and treatment. In the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine is an acceptable means of providing prenatal and postnatal care regardless of patient characteristics.