Statewide Implementation of Virtual Perinatal Home Visiting During COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose This evaluation describes efforts taken by MIECHV administrators and staff during the pandemic using data collected from 60 MIECHV staff surveys and nine statewide weekly focus groups. Description The Florida Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Initiative funds perinatal home visiting for pregnant women and families with infants throughout the state. Florida MIECHV has shown resilience to disasters and times of crises in the past, while generating a culture of adaptation and continuous quality improvement among local implementing agencies. Florida MIECHV responded to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis within the first few days of the first reported case in Florida by providing guidance on virtual home visits and working remotely. Assessment Findings highlight the role of administrative leadership and communication, staff willingness/morale, logistical considerations, and the needs of enrolled families who face hardships during the pandemic such as job loss, limited supplies, food insecurity, technology limitations, and stress. Home visitors support enrolled families by connecting them with resources, providing public health education and delivering evidence-based home visiting curricula virtually. They also recognized the emotional burden surrounding COVID-19 impacts and uncertainties along with achieving work-life balance by caring for their own children. Conclusion This evaluation helped in understanding the impact of the pandemic on this maternal and child health program and fundamentals of transition to virtual home visiting services. Virtual home visiting appears to be feasible and provides an essential connection to supports for families who may not otherwise have the means or knowledge to access them.

Models of Incorporating Telehealth into Obstetric Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Its Benefits And Barriers: A Scoping Review

“…The majority of the included articles originated from the United States (n = 14, 56%). 11,22,23,[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]…”

“…Nine (36%) of the included articles reported barriers faced when implementing telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. 39,40,[42][43][44][45]47,55,56 Health care organizations faced the largest number of barriers (n = 10), followed closely by patients and medical staff (n = 9 for both). Barriers were also divided into three categories-technical, time, and other barriers.…”

“…Technical barriers were the most commonly reported. Patients faced seven technical barriers, including a lack of high-speed internet connection (n = 4), [43][44][45]56 a lack of smart devices (n = 3), 40,42,56 initial setup technical difficulties (n = 2), 40,44 and other technical barriers (Table 7). Medical staff members were affected by similar barriers; additionally, they experienced challenges in virtual interaction with families due to lack of video (n = 1), 45 inaccessibility of patients' medical information when providing care from home (n = 1), 56 and difficulty familiarizing patients with telehealth software (n = 1).…”

“…Patients faced seven technical barriers, including a lack of high-speed internet connection (n = 4), [43][44][45]56 a lack of smart devices (n = 3), 40,42,56 initial setup technical difficulties (n = 2), 40,44 and other technical barriers (Table 7). Medical staff members were affected by similar barriers; additionally, they experienced challenges in virtual interaction with families due to lack of video (n = 1), 45 inaccessibility of patients' medical information when providing care from home (n = 1), 56 and difficulty familiarizing patients with telehealth software (n = 1). 45 Health care organizations faced four technical barriers: a lack of videoconferencing hardware (n = 2), 43,45 unfamiliarity with telehealth administration and scheduling (n = 1), 44 a lack of integration between telehealth systems and Electronic Health Records (n = 1), 56 and the need for additional information technology (IT) staff (n = 1).…”

Efficacy of a multimodal nursing intervention strategy in the process of becoming a mother: A randomized controlled trial

“…A systematic review by Liyana et al (2018) about maternal self-efficacy showed that the interventions lasting more than 10 weeks were the most effective. Unlike AMACOMPRI, Visiting appears to be feasible and represents an essential connection in supporting perinatal care (Marshall et al, 2020). Within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMACOMPRI intervention could be adapted by virtualizing the content logbook and the letters, then including them in the AMACOMPRI software.…”