Abstract
We aimed to assess patients’ utilization of and satisfaction with telemental health (TMH) in the perinatal period. We hypothesized that satisfaction with TMH would be at least equal to, if not greater than, with in-person appointments. We conducted a cross-sectional survey between March 2018–June 2019 to evaluate patient satisfaction with and use of TMH services in the perinatal period. Participants used TMH services across the second and third trimester of pregnancy and the first year post-partum. Nearly half of the patients (8/19, 42%) used TMH to see their provider within the first two weeks post-partum. Participants were most commonly in treatment for anxiety (14/19, 74%) and/or depression (9/19, 47%). Most participants agreed or strongly agreed (13/19, 69%) that TMH improved their access to healthcare and that they could see the clinician as well as if they met in person (14/19, 74%). TMH was a highly accepted and appreciated method of mental health care delivery for perinatal women when offered as an alternative to in-person or telephone sessions.
Highlights
Prior to March 2020, telemental health (TMH) was minimally utilized given technological, legal and regulatory concerns [1]
Our survey results indicate that TMH in the perinatal period improves access to healthcare; is easy to use and to learn; and provides a satisfying means of accessing mental healthcare
Some clinicians have expressed concern that TMH creates a metaphorical distance between the provider and patient, which may negatively affect patient satisfaction and outcomes
Summary
Prior to March 2020, telemental health (TMH) was minimally utilized given technological, legal and regulatory concerns [1]. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health treatment has been largely provided via TMH. Providers and patients have quickly learned to adjust to TMH [2]. Pre-pandemic, TMH improved patients’ access to care by removing transportation barriers, reducing missed work hours, and relieving caregiver burden of accompanying patients to appointments [3]. There have been limited available studies of TMH in the perinatal period. In 2017, Wisner et al showed that telephone-delivered care to women with depression in the postpartum period had comparable positive impact on symptoms and functioning as compared to usual care [5]
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