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Antepartum Fetal Assessment

Poster Session 1

(126) A Qualitative Study of Patient Experiences and Burdens of Antenatal Testing

Tuesday, February 13, 2024
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM  
Location: Prince George's Exhibit Hall CDE, Lower Atrium Level
Objective: Expanded outpatient antenatal testing recommendations were released in 2021. Recommendations include individualizing care due to potential negative outcomes including the psychosocial impacts to patients, however limited information is available describing patient experiences and burdens when completing recommended antenatal testing. We sought to better understand patient experiences and potential burdens to those undergoing outpatient antenatal testing.

Study Design: A single-center cross-sectional survey was administered to those attending an antenatal testing appointment. A 55-question electronic survey assessing patient knowledge, experience, and potential burdens surrounding completion of antenatal testing was self-administered by the patients. Demographics and survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative questions were analyzed with thematic analysis.

Results: 124 patients were approached with 122 agreeing to participate. 103 completed the survey, resulting in 84% survey response rate. Overall, most participants did not consider it difficult to complete testing (86.8%). Missing work was required by 45.9% and obtaining childcare by 34.9%. When rating level of burden experienced, financial burden rated highest for those with household income < $100K with missed work highest for those with household income of $200k+ (Table 1).  The median patient non-medical expense for each antenatal testing appointment was $20 (IQR = $5, $80).  Thematic analysis of responses identified the following themes related to patient burdens: scheduling availability, requirement for missed work and childcare, high cost, increased stress and anxiety, and inconvenience.

Conclusion: For participants completing antenatal testing at our institution, burdens commonly experienced included financial, need for missed work and childcare. For some these negative psychosocial impacts are not insignificant and should be considered when individualizing care.