Primary health care midwives' perceptions on the use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain

Abstract

Objective: To explore the experiences of primary healthcare (PHC) midwives with the implementation of telemedicine in pregnancy and puerperium care during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Method: Exploratory qualitative study based on an inductive content analysis of 15 semi-structured interviews with intentionally selected PHC midwives in four Spanish Autonomous Regions, during 2021-22.

Results: Five categories were identified: (1) changes in the modality of care in pregnancy and puerperium: prioritization of pregnant women, unprotected puerperium, an increase of home visits and decline of parental education groups, (2) implementation of telemedicine in a changing scenario: the positive and negative side of telemedicine (3) reaction of women to telemedicine (4) strategies implemented by midwives for a humanized care, (5) learning for the future.

Conclusions: The use of telemedicine by primary healthcare midwives enabled the care of pregnant and postpartum women during the pandemic in Spain. The positive aspects of the implementation of this type of care raise possibilities for change towards a hybrid format of healthcare.

Keywords: Atención primaria de salud; COVID-19; Investigación cualitativa; Matronas; Midwives; Primary health care; Qualitative research; Telemedicina; Telemedicine.