Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift in healthcare delivery, with both patients and physicians seeking alternatives to minimize hospital visits. Telemedicine has emerged as a viable solution, offering comparable health outcomes to conventional in-person consultations while improving patient satisfaction. This study aims to present our experience in establishing a teleconsultation service for antenatal patients, evaluating its impact on maternal and fetal outcomes, as well as patient satisfaction. METHODOLOGY: A dedicated teleconsultation unit was initiated in April 2020 to manage antenatal care remotely. Patients received virtual consultations, with in-person appointments scheduled only when clinically necessary. Data were collected on teleconsultations, maternal and fetal outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Additionally, feedback from both patients and healthcare providers was recorded to assess the effectiveness of the service. RESULTS: Over one year, teleconsultation services were provided to 2,340 patients, including 1,550 antenatal cases and 790 with gynecological concerns. Among antenatal patients, 1,390 successfully completed teleconsultations, with 109 receiving teleconsultation services without prior appointments. Each antenatal patient, on average, had three virtual consultations and two in-person visits. A total of 76% of antenatal patients were scheduled for follow-up teleconsultations. Furthermore, 18% required in-person evaluations, 3% were directly advised of admission following teleconsultation, and 2% were referred for fetal medicine interventions, including chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis, or advanced ultrasound assessments. The average duration of a teleconsultation was 5 minutes and 15 seconds, and 90% of patients reported satisfaction with the service. CONCLUSION: Teleconsultation proved to be an effective strategy for reducing the need for physical visits while maintaining favorable maternal and fetal outcomes. High patient satisfaction rates further highlight its feasibility as a sustainable model for antenatal care.