The Obstetric Virtual Visit: It's Your Pregnancy Journey, Why Not Do It Your Way?

Abstract

Purpose for the Program To describe the obstetric (OB) Virtual Visit model successfully developed and implemented at MultiCare Health System. This program gives women options for how they receive their OB prenatal care, allows flexibility with schedules, increases partner involvement, and provides convenient delivery of routine prenatal care. Additionally, the OB Virtual Visit improves adherence with prenatal care recommendations and provides positive pregnancy outcomes. Proposed Change Telemedicine is used to replace one-half of the traditional, in-person prenatal visits (virtual and traditional visits alternate). At each OB Virtual Visit, a complete fetal and maternal assessment is performed. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation A multidisciplinary team met to discuss increasing patient options for OB care and seek opportunities to improve care and increase cost efficiency. The resultant program includes three options for prenatal care: traditional medical doctor (MD) visits; group visits alternating with MD visits; and virtual visits alternating with MD visits. Since the program's implementation in June 2012, the Virtual Visit program has become a very popular option for women from all backgrounds. Patients describe the program as empowering as they take more actives role in their care. They also report that the Virtual Visit helps them comply with recommended care schedules and provides flexibility in terms of hours and location. The Virtual Visit enables physicians to focus more of their time at the clinic on high-risk patients and to increase productivity. Implications for Nursing Practice As prenatal care becomes more convenient and accessible, improvement can be made in women's prenatal experience and pregnancy outcomes. Technology is being increasingly used in all aspects of life in today's connected world; telemedicine is a natural progression of this up-and-coming platform. The Virtual Visit empowers women, gives them options for how they receive their OB prenatal care, allows flexibility with schedules, increases partner involvement, and provides convenient delivery of routine prenatal care. To describe the obstetric (OB) Virtual Visit model successfully developed and implemented at MultiCare Health System. This program gives women options for how they receive their OB prenatal care, allows flexibility with schedules, increases partner involvement, and provides convenient delivery of routine prenatal care. Additionally, the OB Virtual Visit improves adherence with prenatal care recommendations and provides positive pregnancy outcomes. Telemedicine is used to replace one-half of the traditional, in-person prenatal visits (virtual and traditional visits alternate). At each OB Virtual Visit, a complete fetal and maternal assessment is performed. A multidisciplinary team met to discuss increasing patient options for OB care and seek opportunities to improve care and increase cost efficiency. The resultant program includes three options for prenatal care: traditional medical doctor (MD) visits; group visits alternating with MD visits; and virtual visits alternating with MD visits. Since the program's implementation in June 2012, the Virtual Visit program has become a very popular option for women from all backgrounds. Patients describe the program as empowering as they take more actives role in their care. They also report that the Virtual Visit helps them comply with recommended care schedules and provides flexibility in terms of hours and location. The Virtual Visit enables physicians to focus more of their time at the clinic on high-risk patients and to increase productivity. As prenatal care becomes more convenient and accessible, improvement can be made in women's prenatal experience and pregnancy outcomes. Technology is being increasingly used in all aspects of life in today's connected world; telemedicine is a natural progression of this up-and-coming platform. The Virtual Visit empowers women, gives them options for how they receive their OB prenatal care, allows flexibility with schedules, increases partner involvement, and provides convenient delivery of routine prenatal care.