Women’s satisfaction with telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey study (Preprint)

Abstract

Since March 2020, the need to reduce patients’ exposure to COVID-19 resulted in a large-scale pivot to telehealth service delivery. While 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.

The present study examined telehealth satisfaction among both pregnant and recently pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic, to determine whether demographic factors (i.e., race, age, marital status, education level, household income, employment status) are associated with telehealth satisfaction in this population.

A web-based cross-sectional survey designed to capture data on health-related behaviors and healthcare experiences of pregnant and recently pregnant women in the U.S. was disseminated in Spring 2022. Eligible participants were at least 18 years old, identified as a woman, were currently pregnant or had been pregnant in the last three years.

In the final analytic sample of N=403, the mean telehealth satisfaction score was 3.97±0.66 (score range 1-5). In adjusted linear regression models, being age 35-44 years (vs. 18-24 years), having an annual income of ≥100,000 USD (vs. <50,000 USD), and being recently (vs. currently) pregnant were associated with greater telehealth satisfaction (ps≤0.049).

Although perinatal women are generally satisfied with telehealth, disparities exist. It is critical that public health policies/programs consider these factors, especially if the expanded use of telehealth is to persist beyond the pandemic.