(823) Virtual Care in Maternal Fetal Medicine: A Patient and Provider Perspective

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate provider and patient perspectives on virtual maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) consultation visits.

Study Design: Patient satisfaction surveys were collected between 2020 and 2023 for patients who received MFM consultation care at a tertiary health system. A satisfaction survey was also distributed to MFM specialists across the country to evaluate providers’ perspective on virtual care. Univariate analysis of data included means and standard deviation, and percentages. Comparison of continuous variables was performed using a two tailed t-test.

Results: Patients reported no changes (on a scale of 0-3) in how their providers explained their diagnosis (1.86+/-0.34 virtual vs 1.93 +/-0.29 in-person; p=0.149), the respect they felt the providers showed (1.92+/-0.28 vs 1.91+/-0.37; p=0.900), or the likelihood they would recommend the office (1.75+/- 0.46 vs 1.81+/-0.53; p=0.42). From the providers standpoint, 46.6% either strongly disagreed or disagreed that they were motivated to incorporate telehealth into their practice prior to the COVID-19 pandemic when virtual care was not a popular option. However, the pandemic changed this mindset as most providers (86.7%) were motivated to continue using telehealth with 66.2% liking or strongly liking telehealth. Providers also strongly felt that telehealth improves access to care (54.7%), provides adequate care (54.7%), and is convenient for patients (61.3%). The biggest concern providers had for telehealth was that it decreased rapport with their patients (34.7% ).

Conclusion: Overall the results from this survey study showed that virtual care has been well received by patients and providers. Maternal fetal medicine as a consultation service lends itself nicely to the ability to provide patients with telehealth services without compromising patientcare. Such services are of particular benefit to patients facing barriers to social drivers of health such as transportation limitations and can be a solution to improving patient-provider communication.