Access and Barriers to Home Device Use in Pregnancy [ID: 1375585

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Virtual prenatal visits are promising for removing barriers to care; however, prior work suggests pregnant people who may benefit most might lack access to tools like home blood pressure (BP) monitors. We assessed drivers of pregnant patients' access to and use of home BP monitors. METHODS: We conducted an IRB-exempt cross-sectional survey of postpartum patients admitted for childbirth at an academic institution. After obtaining consent, we assessed patients' barriers to accessing home devices during pregnancy. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and between-group comparisons. RESULTS: 78/200 (39%) patients surveyed completed at least one virtual visit, of whom 76.92% were White and 23.08% were publicly insured. Patients who completed at least one virtual visit were more likely to report having a home BP monitor (73.08%) than those who had none (44.26%) (P<.001). More patients who had no virtual visits reported their provider did not recommend a BP monitor (41.80%) (P<.001), and not knowing how to check their BP (13.93%) (P=.048). Patients with public insurance (15.6%) and Black patients (17.4%) were more likely to report inability to obtain a BP monitor than commercially insured (4.5%) and White patients (3.1%) (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Access to BP monitors was limited in obstetrics patients who selected in-person care, were Black, and publicly insured. Policy change is needed to ensure patients who face the greatest barriers to care can access necessary tools for virtual visits.