Telehealth experiences of mothers of hospitalized and discharged preterm infants in Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

Background: The transition to telehealth services for mothers of preterm babies is a challenge in promoting the health of preterm infants, although telehealth allows real-time interaction and support for mothers. Aim: To compare the experiences of mothers of hospitalized and discharged preterm infants with telehealth services in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted from June to October 2021 using a conventional content analysis approach. The study participants included 35 hospitalized and 35 discharged mothers of preterm infants, who received healthcare consultations through WhatsApp and Telegram applications. They were selected using purposive sampling. Data collection was done using in-depth semi-structured interviews and data analysis was performed using Graneheim and Lundman analysis. Results: Our findings showed request for continuing healthcare support by the mothers as the main category, with 3 subcategories: willingness to connect to telehealth services, more comprehensive education about telehealth services, and opportunities to share experiences. Mothers of hospitalized and discharged preterm infants had conflicting views about the ambiguous role of nurses in telehealth and the use of telehealth as a support system. Conclusion: Telehealth plays an important role as a supportive method in promoting infant health and boosting the confidence of mothers of preterm infants as they continuously interact with nurses.