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

Authors

Diletta F. Mittone, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, DC, United States.
Caitlin P. Bailey, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, DC, United States.
Ebony L. Eddy, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, DC, United States.
Melissa A. Napolitano, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, DC, United States.
Amita Vyas, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, DC, United States.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

10-14-2022

Journal

JMIR pediatrics and parenting

Volume

5

Issue

4

DOI

10.2196/41356

Keywords

COVID-19; Perinatal; maternal-child health; patient outcome; pediatrics; pregnancy; telehealth; telemedicine; women's health

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.

APA Citation

Mittone, Diletta F.; Bailey, Caitlin P.; Eddy, Ebony L.; Napolitano, Melissa A.; and Vyas, Amita, "Women's Satisfaction With Telehealth Services During The COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Survey Study" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 1773.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/1773

Department

Prevention and Community Health