Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore midwives' perceptions of the advantages of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland. DesignCross-sectional study based on an online survey using quantitative methods. SettingMidwives working in Switzerland. ParticipantsSelf-selected convenience sample of 630 members of the Swiss Federation of Midwives. MeasurementOpen questions on advantages of health care at a distance and workrelated characteristics were used in the online questionnaire. The information was coded and integrative content analysis was applied. FindingsA good half of the respondents associated telemedicine with either an advantage beyond the pandemic (“Reduced workload”, “Improved health care provision”, “Greater self-care of clients”), while the others saw a pandemic-related advantage (“Protection from COVID-19”, “Maintaining care/counseling in an exceptional situation”), or no advantage at all. Older, more experienced midwives were less likely to see an advantage beyond the pandemic. The motive “Reduced workload” was positively associated with professionals aged younger than 40 years and midwives with up to 14 years of professional experience, and “Protection from COVID-19” was more likely cited by midwives aged 50 and more and by midwives working solely in hospitals. Midwives who stated “Maintaining care” and “Improved health care provision” as motives to embrace telemedicine were more likely to experience health care at a distance as a positive treatment alternative. Key conclusionMidwives’ perceptions of the advantages of health care at a distance vary substantially with age and years of professional experience, as well as workrelated characteristics. Further research is necessary to acquire a sound understanding of underlying reasons, including the sources of the general attitudes involved. Implication for practice: Understanding the differences in perceptions of health care at a distance is important in order to improve the work situation of midwives and the health care they provide to women and families. Different sensitivities represent an important source in the ongoing discussion about the future use of telemedicine in health care.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected both maternity care and the work of midwives (Vivilaki and Asimaki, 2020)
Within the two main groups we identified, we were able to find a total of six different response motives (“Reduced workload”, “Improved health care provision”, “Greater self-care of clients”, “Maintaining care/counseling in an exceptional situation”, “Protection from COVID-19”, and “No advantages”), representing a broad scope of topics
The present study showed that midwives in Switzerland associated six different motives with the advantages of health care at a distance, indicating a diversity of perceptions
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected both maternity care and the work of midwives (Vivilaki and Asimaki, 2020). Has the entire health care environment changed in the face of public health imperatives (Renfrew et al, 2020), the way women are supported and cared for has undergone a notable transformation (Jardine et al, 2021; Montagnoli et al, 2021). To prevent transmission of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, midwives have been obliged to use forms of telemedicine on an unprecedented scale (Galle et al, 2021). Telemedicine, known as health care at a distance, is not a new way of providing health care. Until the current pandemic telemedicine was mostly discussed in an abstract manner if at all (Merrell and Doarn, 2019). With COVID-19, video telephony, text messaging, and other forms of telemedicine have moved center stage, raising the question of how healthcare at a distance is experienced and perceived by midwives
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