Patient experience and satisfaction with telephone consultations in maternity POAC—a service evaluation at Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton

Background: In March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated adaptations of maternity services. Musgrove Park Hospital made switch from face to telephone consultations in high risk obstetric clinic between 2020 and November 2021. We wanted evaluate satisfaction patient experience clinics within cohort ascertain any benefits or disadvantages these patients. Methods: All patients who had attended July February 2021 were included. They telephoned April asked complete a survey over phone. Patients two open questions four closed about their telephonic appointment. how satisfied they with appointment whether there was anything particularly beneficial negative this format consultation. Data also collected notes regarding age, parity, reason for attending clinic. Results: Out 40 eligible patients, 29 answered phone 25 consented participate. Efficiency increased an average 4.1 being seen face-to-face 6.4 ‘seen’ Descriptive analysis yielded following results:•100% ‘satisfied’ consultation•92% scored consultation as 4/5 5/5•70% preferred group, 88% multiparous•62% would prefer future•30% have been face. The majority more complex medical comorbidities Analysis qualitative data split into positive themes. themes around convenience, reduced travel time, cost, childcare, covid safety. main impersonal feelings, lack physical examination, barriers communication. Conclusions: Patient is benefit multiparous women young children. This project provides some justification continuing Currently we run hybrid service which allows both depending on complexity case. efficiency appointments has allowed us capacity enabled create slots seeing postoperative complications per Ockenden recommendations. It increase adherence Royal College Obstetricians Gynaecologists (RCOG) recommendations terms antenatal assessment obesity pregnancy.1 1.Denison FC, Aedla NR, Keag O, et al. behalf RCOG. Care pregnancy. Green-top Guideline No. 72. BJOG 2019; 126: e62–e106