Virtual telehealth visits for prenatal checkups during the COVID- 19 pandemic in Japan: a nationwide survey and feasibility study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We investigated the use of virtual telehealth visits (VV) for prenatal checkups in Japan during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, identified challenges associated with their use, and assessed the feasibility of future VV implementation for prenatal care.

Methods

Surveys were conducted at birthing facilities across Japan and with pregnant women attending Osaka and Keio University hospitals. To assess the feasibility of VV, we compared the self-measured blood pressure, fundal height, urinary test results, and fetal heart rate of pregnant women with those measured by healthcare providers.

Results

We received responses from 1,096 birthing facilities (49.5% response rate) and 96 women. Only 1.6% of birthing facilities implemented VV, mainly due toto a

SUBMITTER: Kobayashi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12020309 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature