OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate patients' opinions on a fetal cardiology telemedicine service compared with usual outpatient care, the effect of the telemedicine consultation on maternal anxiety and its impact on travel times and time absent from work. METHODS: Prospective study over 20 months. Eligible patients attended for routine anomaly scan followed by fetal echocardiogram transmitted to the regional centre with live guidance by a fetal cardiologist, followed by parental counselling. All patients were offered a fetal cardiology appointment at the regional centre. Structured questionnaires assessing maternal satisfaction, travel times/days off and anxiety scores completed at time of both fetal echocardiograms. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were recruited and 66 completed the study. Participants expressed very high satisfaction rates with fetal telecardiology, equivalent to face-to-face consultation. The telecardiology appointments were associated with significantly reduced travel times and days off work (p < 0.01). Expectant mothers expressed a clear inclination for a fetal cardiology appointment at the local hospital facilitated by telemedicine (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal telecardiology is highly acceptable to patients and is even preferred compared with travelling to a regional centre. There are additional socio-economic benefits that should encourage the development of remote fetal cardiology services.
OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate patients' opinions on a fetal cardiology telemedicine service compared with usual outpatient care, the effect of the telemedicine consultation on maternal anxiety and its impact on travel times and time absent from work. METHODS: Prospective study over 20 months. Eligible patients attended for routine anomaly scan followed by fetal echocardiogram transmitted to the regional centre with live guidance by a fetal cardiologist, followed by parental counselling. All patients were offered a fetal cardiology appointment at the regional centre. Structured questionnaires assessing maternal satisfaction, travel times/days off and anxiety scores completed at time of both fetal echocardiograms. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were recruited and 66 completed the study. Participants expressed very high satisfaction rates with fetal telecardiology, equivalent to face-to-face consultation. The telecardiology appointments were associated with significantly reduced travel times and days off work (p < 0.01). Expectant mothers expressed a clear inclination for a fetal cardiology appointment at the local hospital facilitated by telemedicine (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal telecardiology is highly acceptable to patients and is even preferred compared with travelling to a regional centre. There are additional socio-economic benefits that should encourage the development of remote fetal cardiology services.
Authors: Elijah H Bolin; R Thomas Collins; Thomas H Best; Dala Zakaria; Sean M Lang; Matthew G Boushka; Markus S Renno; Lori L Heil; Curtis L Lowery; Renee A Bornemeier Journal: J Perinatol Date: 2020-05-07 Impact factor: 2.521
Authors: William Evans; William Castillo; Robert Rollins; Carlos Luna; Katrinka Kip; Joseph Ludwick; Nitin Madan; Michael Ciccolo; Alvaro Galindo; Abraham Rothman; Gary Mayman; Kathleen Cass; Vincent Thomas; Humberto Restrepo; Ruben Acherman Journal: Pediatr Cardiol Date: 2014-08-08 Impact factor: 1.655
Authors: V J Smith; A Marshall; M L S Lie; E Bidmead; B Beckwith; E Van Oudgaarden; S C Robson Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2021-01-08 Impact factor: 3.007