A fetal telecardiology service: patient preference and socio-economic factors.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to evaluate patients' opinions on a fetal cardiology telemedicine service compared with usual outpatient care, the effect of the telemedicine consultation on maternal anxiety and its impact on travel times and time absent from work.


METHODS
Prospective study over 20 months. Eligible patients attended for routine anomaly scan followed by fetal echocardiogram transmitted to the regional centre with live guidance by a fetal cardiologist, followed by parental counselling. All patients were offered a fetal cardiology appointment at the regional centre. Structured questionnaires assessing maternal satisfaction, travel times/days off and anxiety scores completed at time of both fetal echocardiograms.


RESULTS
Sixty-seven patients were recruited and 66 completed the study. Participants expressed very high satisfaction rates with fetal telecardiology, equivalent to face-to-face consultation. The telecardiology appointments were associated with significantly reduced travel times and days off work (p < 0.01). Expectant mothers expressed a clear inclination for a fetal cardiology appointment at the local hospital facilitated by telemedicine (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Fetal telecardiology is highly acceptable to patients and is even preferred compared with travelling to a regional centre. There are additional socio-economic benefits that should encourage the development of remote fetal cardiology services.
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. brianmccrossan@doctors.org.uk
Brian A
BA
McCrossan
Andrew J
AJ
Sands
Theresa
T
Kileen
Nicola N
NN
Doherty
Frank A
FA
Casey
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010500:Perinatology / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult