Provider Preferences for Utilization of Video Visits for Prenatal Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic [ID: 1375554

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to assess providers' perceived advantages and disadvantages of prenatal care provision via video visits. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of prenatal care providers in four academic institutions and their surrounding community sites across wide geographic areas of the United States in 2021–2022. Institutional review board approval was obtained by Oregon Health & Science University. The survey was distributed online via REDCap and consisted of 15 questions, which collected information about telehealth availability to patients, advantages and disadvantages of telehealth visits, and basic provider demographics. Analyses were conducted in STATA 17. RESULTS: There were 214 (42%) providers who completed the survey. The majority were female (82%), MD/DO (83%), older than 35 years (55%), and not trainees (61%). 155 (72%) providers reported they were conducted fewer than 10% of their visits via telehealth and 148 (69%) providers reported they had chosen not to offer a telehealth visit to a patient at least one time. The top three advantages of telehealth visits cited by providers included that patients can be located wherever is convenient for them, do not need to coordinate childcare for the appointment, and do not have to worry about exposure to infections like COVID-19. The top three disadvantages cited included inability to perform a physical exam, inability to obtain in-office urine or other point-of-care testing, and connection difficulties. CONCLUSION: During the pandemic, relatively few academic providers utilized telehealth visits to deliver prenatal care despite the potential advantages perceived. Addressing providers' perceived disadvantages of prenatal care provision via telehealth may combat the low utilization.