Stakeholder Perspectives of the PATH (Plan for Appropriate Tailored Healthcare in Pregnancy) Targeted Visit Schedule Recommendation [ID 2683601

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Traditional prenatal care delivery guidelines recommend 12–14 in-person visits for all patients, although care can be safely delivered to average-risk patients with 8–9 targeted visits. These additional visits may result in oversurveillance and unnecessary interventions. The Plan for Appropriate Tailored Healthcare in Pregnancy (PATH), a consensus-based prenatal care recommendation developed by a multidisciplinary team of prenatal care experts, recommends tailoring care delivery to patients' needs by using targeted visit schedules for average-risk patients. A national listening tour was conducted to obtain stakeholder feedback for incorporating this care delivery model into practice. METHODS: We conducted nine, 120-minute virtual focus groups with more than 25 organizations including professional (8), patient advocacy (8), public health (5), and payer groups (4). Focus groups were transcribed and coded by recommendation, and analyzed with matrix coding across positive attitudes, negative attitudes, and implementation considerations. RESULTS: Focus groups included 110 participants. Positive attitudes included the belief that targeted visit schedules would improve visit attendance, care flexibility, and resource equity. Negative attitudes included concerns for inappropriate targeted visit schedule application, inadequate safety net systems for missed services, and reduced payer reimbursement. Providers were also concerned about decreased opportunities for relationship building and counseling in targeted visit schedules. Implementation considerations included the importance of shared decision-making, serial needs assessments, and clear risk stratification guidelines. Participants emphasized the need for multidisciplinary safety net processes to ensure timely, adequate care. CONCLUSION: Participants were receptive to incorporating targeted visit schedules for average-risk individuals into routine prenatal care. Greater infrastructure investment is needed to implement more flexible care models successfully.