Affiliation:
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
2. Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine in the Cincinnati Children's Fetal Care Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Abstract
Recognizing the paucity of literature describing the non-medical effects of care at a tertiary parental fetal care center upon families, the purpose of the study was to better examine the potential barriers that our patients face related to care in a parental fetal care center. An anonymous survey was sent via email to patients who received care from 2015 to 2021. The survey included questions regarding demographics, fetal diagnoses, non-medical expenses related to care, and the impact of care on patient relationships, employment, and other children. 453 patients (15.9%) responded out of the 2684 emails sent. 58.3% of patients traveled >100 miles to reach our referral center, with 20% traveling >300 miles. 42.6% of patients reported non-medical expenditures exceeding $1000, with nearly 1 in 10 reporting expenditures of >$5000 (8.6%). Overall, 38.2% of women reported moderate to severe financial burdens related to receiving care at the parental fetal care center. This study illuminates the financial and social burdens that care at a tertiary parental fetal care center imposes upon families. By acknowledging these barriers, we can strive to minimize them to best provide equitable access to high-quality fetal care services.