Prenatal telehealth use was low during early COVID-19

Prenatal telehealth use was low during early COVID-19  Contemporary Obgyn

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Oct 20, 2023 - 00:00
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Prenatal telehealth use was low during early COVID-19

Prenatal telehealth use was low during early COVID-19

Prenatal telehealth use was low during early COVID-19 | Image Credit: © nenetus – © nenetus – stock.adobe.com.

Prenatal Telehealth Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Prenatal telehealth care was not commonly used among people who gave birth during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open.

Takeaways

  • Prenatal telehealth care was not widely adopted by people giving birth during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with approximately 1 in 3 participants using it.
  • Rates of prenatal telehealth use did not significantly differ between respondents with private insurance and those with Medicaid, but those with no insurance were less likely to use it.
  • Prenatal telehealth use was more common among Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, and Indigenous respondents compared to non-Hispanic White respondents, as well as those living in urban areas vs rural areas.
  • Personal preference was the most frequently cited reason for not using prenatal telehealth, followed by appointment availability, other reasons, and technological barriers.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering patients’ preferences when incorporating prenatal telehealth into their care, suggesting that it should be adapted to meet individual needs.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many prenatal care clinicians incorporated virtual care into their practice. Studies have evaluated rates of access and satisfaction at single clinician sites and found mixed results, but data evaluating multiple clinical sites is lacking.

To evaluate prenatal telehealth use and reasons for nonuse within the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, investigators conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing a multistate representative survey. Data across 29 sites was obtained from the 2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System.

Participants included respondents of the COVID-19 experiences questionnaire during site-months with a response rate of at least 50% who provided informed consent. Having a prenatal telehealth visit was the primary outcome of the analysis, measured based on a binary indicator.

Secondary outcomes of the analysis included reasons for not using prenatal telehealth. Four reasons were determined: personal preference, appointment availability, technological barriers, and other reasons.

There were 12,073 respondents who gave birth from June to December 2020 included in the final analysis. Of respondents, 53% had private insurance, 54% were non-Hispanic White, and 87% lived in urban counties.

Use of prenatal telehealth was reported by approximately 1 in 3 participants. Rates of prenatal telehealth use did not differ between respondents with private insurance and those with Medicaid, but prenatal telehealth use was 14.6% less likely in those with no insurance.

Prenatal telehealth use was also more common in Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, and Indigenous respondents compared to non-Hispanic White respondents, as well as those living in urban areas vs those living in rural areas.

Of participants who did not use prenatal telehealth, 70% reported personal preference as a reason, 26% reported no appointment availability, 14% reported other reasons, and 5% reported technological barriers.

These results indicated low rates of prenatal telehealth use among people who gave birth within the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with personal preference as the most common reason for lack of use. Investigators concluded patients’ preferences should influence how prenatal telehealth is incorporated into their care.

Reference:

Gourevitch RA, Anyoha A, Ali MM, Novak P. Use of prenatal telehealth in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2337978. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.37978

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 5: Gender Equality
  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses the low utilization of prenatal telehealth care during the COVID-19 pandemic. This issue is directly connected to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Additionally, the article highlights disparities in prenatal telehealth use based on insurance status, ethnicity, and urban/rural residence, indicating a connection to SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines.
  • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
  • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are related to ensuring universal access to healthcare services (Target 3.8), ending discrimination against women (Target 5.1), and promoting social inclusion and reducing inequalities (Target 10.2).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  • Indicator: Proportion of pregnant individuals accessing prenatal care through telehealth services.
  • Indicator: Disparities in prenatal telehealth use based on insurance status.
  • Indicator: Disparities in prenatal telehealth use based on ethnicity.
  • Indicator: Disparities in prenatal telehealth use based on urban/rural residence.

The article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the proportion of pregnant individuals accessing prenatal care through telehealth services, as well as disparities in prenatal telehealth use based on insurance status, ethnicity, and urban/rural residence.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines. Indicator: Proportion of pregnant individuals accessing prenatal care through telehealth services.
SDG 5: Gender Equality Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. Indicator: Disparities in prenatal telehealth use based on insurance status.
Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. Indicator: Disparities in prenatal telehealth use based on ethnicity.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. Indicator: Disparities in prenatal telehealth use based on urban/rural residence.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: contemporaryobgyn.net

 

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