Date of Completion
Spring 5-14-2023
Thesis Advisor(s)
Shane Murphy
Honors Major
Health Care Management
Second Honors Major
Physiology and Neurobiology
Disciplines
Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Health and Medical Administration | Maternal and Child Health | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Women's Health
Abstract
Background: Telehealth interventions can transform the healthcare system to improve accessibility, quality of care, and outcomes for women’s obstetric health.
Objective: This literature review seeks to summarize current research to understand the effect of telehealth on women’s obstetrics and gynecology outcomes.
Methods: A literature review was conducted following the PRISMA methodology to identify a set of papers containing information related to obstetrics and maternal health. The search terms used identified telehealth or telemedicine interventions used for obstetric, maternal, or prenatal care from the period 2013-2023. 19 articles were identified and reviewed.
Results: The literature review considered three primary aspects from the findings of each paper when relevant; accessibility, care, and vulnerable population. Accessibility was assessed to better understand the barriers affecting access to telemedicine services. Care interventions were assessed to better understand how different perinatal care interventions can be provided through telemedicine, including abortion and ultrasound care. High-risk or low-resource populations were assessed to better understand how telemedicine interventions affect different populations.
Discussion: The literature review identified barriers in accessing technology, internet, and interpretation services. The review considered measures that can be taken to reduce barriers to improve access to abortion, ultrasound, and prenatal care for diverse patient populations.
Conclusions: Review demonstrated ways in which telehealth can be an effective intervention in overcoming barriers, addressing prenatal care outcomes, and improving awareness and access in patient populations.
Recommended Citation
Chandu, Sharanya, "A Systematic Literature Review of Telehealth for Health Equity in Pediatric and Women's Health Care: Promise vs Reality" (2023). Honors Scholar Theses. 933.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/srhonors_theses/933