192 - Evaluating patient and provider satisfaction after multidisciplinary telemedicine consultations for fetal anomalies

Publication Number: 4189.192

June Hu, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, United States; Abhishek Makkar, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas, United States, TX, United States; Vanessa Dedmon, Children's Health, Celina, TX, United States; Hazel Lazatin, Children's Health, Dallas, TX, United States; Laura Van Pelt, Children's Health, Arlington, TX, United States

Background: Antenatal consultations for fetal anomalies often involve different pediatric specialists, and are essential for educating parents and planning appropriate delivery and postnatal care. At our fetal center, these time-intensive consultations transitioned to a hybrid model during COVID-19, incorporating telemedicine based on ACOG guidelines to improve maternal access. Post-pandemic, telemedicine usage increased due to superior accessibility for patients. We created an anonymous questionnaire to evaluate parental and provider satisfaction with virtual multidisciplinary antenatal consultations.

Objective: To evaluate patient (parental) and provider (physician) satisfaction with use of telemedicine for multidisciplinary antenatal consultations.

Design/Methods: A descriptive survey study evaluating virtual antenatal consultations conducted by one or more pediatric specialists including neonatology at our fetal center from August 2024 through September 2025. Providers were trained on Zoom Pro™, telehealth consent, documentation, and billing practices. Pregnant patients with fetal anomalies and consulting physicians completed anonymous 5-point Likert scale surveys evaluating care quality, communication, and technical aspects following virtual consultations. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a composite consultation quality score was generated from responses.

Results: There were 180 fetal consults included during this study period. Patient response rate was 23%. Patient demographics are listed in Figure 1. Patient group means computed on six 5-point Likert items about patient-physician communication was 29.6 (max score 30). Patients found multidisciplinary format of these consultations convenient and effective based on three 5-point Likert scale items, with group mean of 14.6 (max score 15) (Figure 2). Patient combined consultation quality score computed on twelve survey questions was high: M = 58.9. 97% of physicians agreed or strongly agreed that telemedicine consultation was effective. Provider group means about patient-physician communication was 26.9 (max score 30), and efficacy of the multidisciplinary format was 13.9 (max score 15) (Figure 3). Provider combined consultation quality score computed on twelve survey questions was high: M = 54.5 (max score 60).

Conclusion(s): Telemedicine is an accessible, efficient, and effective way to counsel parents with fetal anomalies, with high satisfaction reported by both families and providers. Limitations include modest response rates and potential bias toward favorable experiences.

Figure 1: Patient demographics
PAS abstract Figure 1.pdf

Figure 2: Patient Consultation Survey Assessment
PAS abstract Figure 2.pdf

Figure 3: Provider Consultation Survey Assessment
PAS abstract Figure 3.pdf