Women’s Satisfaction With Telehealth Services During The COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Abstract

Background Since March 2020, the need to reduce patients’ exposure to COVID-19 has resulted in a large-scale pivot to telehealth service delivery. Although studies report that pregnant women have been generally satisfied with their prenatal telehealth experiences during the pandemic, less is known about telehealth satisfaction among postpartum women. Objective This study examined telehealth satisfaction among both pregnant and recently pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic, to determine whether demographic factors (ie, race, age, marital status, education level, household income, and employment status) are associated with telehealth satisfaction in this population. Methods A web-based cross-sectional survey designed to capture data on health-related behaviors and health care experiences of pregnant and recently pregnant women in the United States was disseminated in Spring 2022. Eligible participants were at least 18 years old, identified as a woman, and were currently pregnant or had been pregnant in the last 3 years. Results In the final analytic sample of N=403, the mean telehealth satisfaction score was 3.97 (SD 0.66; score range 1-5). In adjusted linear regression models, being aged 35-44 years (vs 18-24 years), having an annual income of ≥ US $100,000 (vs < US $50,000), and being recently (vs currently) pregnant were associated with greater telehealth satisfaction (P≤.049). Conclusions Although perinatal women are generally satisfied with telehealth, disparities exist. Specifically, being aged 18-24 years, having an annual income of < US $50,000, and being currently pregnant were associated with lower telehealth satisfaction. It is critical that public health policies or programs consider these factors, especially if the expanded use of telehealth is to persist beyond the pandemic.

Telemedis Dalam Pelayanan Perawatan Kehamilan

“…Yang penting, tampaknya peningkatan kecemasan bisa diatasi, dilaporkan bahwa perempuan yang awalnya skeptis terhadap telehealth umumnya merasa ketakutannya berkurang setelah menggunakan model layanan ini (Konnyu et al, 2023). Demikian pula, diidentifikasi melalui 25 wawancara semi-terstruktur bahwa perempuan memiliki kekhawatiran mengenai pemantauan mandiri dan aksesibilitas telehealth, namun hal ini dapat diatasi dengan menghadiri janji temu dengan penyedia layanan yang sudah mereka kenal, dan menyoroti pentingnya kesinambungan layanan (Nguyen et al, 2022).…”

“…Begitu pula pada uji kelayakan BuMP tahun 2017, ditemukan bahwa pemantauan tekanan darah jarak jauh mengurangi kecemasan wanita terhadap kesehatan, terutama jika mereka memiliki pengalaman hipertensi atau preeklampsia sebelumnya (Hinton et al, 2017). Dalam studi crosssectional terhadap 403 wanita, mencatat bahwa pendidikan dan pendapatan berhubungan positif dengan kepuasan telehealth, yang menunjukkan perlunya mendukung perempuan dari latar belakang yang kurang beruntung ketika mengakses layanan ini (Mittone et al, 2022).…”

“…Banyak yang melaporkan bahwa hambatan terhadap penerapan telehealth, seperti konektivitas internet, kurangnya privasi, dan rendahnya literasi teknologi, lebih banyak terjadi di kalangan kelompok yang kurang beruntung. Hasil survei terhadap wanita hamil di AS dan menemukan bahwa 10% tidak memiliki peralatan yang diperlukan untuk menyelesaikan kunjungan telehealth mereka (Morgan et al, 2022). Selain itu, telehealth seringkali tidak dilindungi oleh asuransi seperti halnya layanan tatap muka, sehingga menciptakan hambatan finansial yang signifikan (Melvin et al, 2020).…”

Telehealth in antenatal care: recent insights and advances

“…Similarly, in the 2017 BuMP feasibility trial, Hinton et al [ 87 ] found that remote blood pressure monitoring reduced women’s health anxiety, particularly if they had previous experiences of hypertension or preeclampsia. In a cross-sectional study of 403 women, Mittone et al [ 88 ] noted that education and income were positively associated with telehealth satisfaction, demonstrating the need to support women of disadvantaged backgrounds when accessing these services.…”