A new study from researchers at the University of Liverpool and King's College London reveals that whilst women may value the convenience of virtual postpartum care, they remain concerned about the need for physical examinations and how to access them.
The researchers have called for a personalised and tiered model of care which balances efficiency, individual preference, and clinical concern.
Understanding experiences of postnatal care during and post-pandemic
During the recent pandemic, maternity services were rapidly reconfigured to reduce infection risks for pregnant women, new mothers, newborn babies and healthcare staff. This led to a significant increase in virtual appointments and fewer face-to-face interactions. Whilst this shift was initially driven by public health necessity, many elements of virtual maternity care have persisted beyond the pandemic.
The research team sought to understand how women of reproductive age felt about these changes, and to explore the perceived strengths and limitations of in-person, video and telephone-based postnatal care.
The study analysed responses from women participating in the COVID Symptom Study Biobank, drawn from the King's College London/ZOE COVID Symptom Study. Between September and December 2021, participants completed an online questionnaire about their maternity care experiences.
