The usefulness of inter-institutional collaboration (teleconsultation, eHealth) in the management of placenta accreta

Abstract

Introduction The availability of interdisciplinary groups trained in morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) is limited. Telemedicine can be a useful strategy to bring patients affected by MAP to institutions specialized in its management. We sought to assess how useful an informal teleconsultation is for MAP cases among users who contacted a reference center for this pathology in a low middle-income country. Methodology Likert-type surveys were conducted among specialist physicians who carried out teleconsultation with a MAP experienced institution, for assessing how useful the remote assistance was. Results In 15-month period, 21 teleconsultations associated with MAP were recorded. Teleconsultation was considered “very useful” by 100% of obstetricians. Among the physicians, 90.5% said they would “definitely use the service again” if they had a new case of MAP and 85.7% said that they would “always recommend” the service to other groups of specialists. Conclusion Teleconsultation in MAP cases is perceived by service users as a useful tool in the management of affected patients. In a context with few specialized centers in the management of this condition, telemedicine must be taken into account when designing comprehensive care strategies for this rare and highly morbid disease.