Evaluation of a Rapid Implementation of Telemedicine for Delivery of Obstetric Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction:

The aim of this evaluation was to assess the rapid implementation of obstetric telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Consolidated Framework in Implementation Research (CFIR) evaluation framework.

Study Design:

Following 1 month of telemedicine implementation, obstetric providers at the University of South Florida clinic completed qualitative surveys and in-depth interviews about the implementation of obstetric telemedicine in the clinic guided by the CFIR evaluation framework.

Results:

Overall, providers considered obstetric telemedicine comparable to traditional in-person clinic visits and acknowledged that they were adequately prepared for the telemedicine implementation. They perceived that obstetric telemedicine mostly met the needs of patients in terms of convenience and comfort of visits, decreased exposure to COVID-19 infection, and the ability of the patient to listen to fetal heart sounds if at-home doppler monitoring was available.

Conclusions:

The implementation of the obstetric telemedicine care model was deemed a favorable alternative option for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.