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Home Research Research Library Impact of COVID-19 on perinatal care: Perceptions of family physicians in the United States Impact of COVID-19 on perinatal care: Perceptions of family physicians in the United States 2022 Author(s) Goldstein, Jessica Taylor, Eden, Aimee R, Taylor, Melina K, Dotson, Andrea, and Barreto, Tyler W Topic(s) Role of Primary Care, Achieving Health System Goals, and What Family Physicians Do Keyword(s) Maternity Care, and Quality Of Care Volume Birth Source Birth BACKGROUND: Patient-centered care is the best practice in the care of pregnant and postpartum patients. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted changes in perinatal care policies, which were often reactive, resulting in unintended consequences, many of which made the delivery of patient-centered care more difficult. This study aimed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal health care delivery from the perspective of family physicians in the United States. METHODS: From October 5 to November 4, 2020, we surveyed mid- to late-career family physicians who provide perinatal care. We conducted descriptive analyses to measure the impact of COVID-19 on prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, patient experience, and patient volume. An immersion-crystallization approach was used to analyze qualitative data provided as open-text comments. RESULTS: Of the 1518 survey respondents, 1062 (69.8%) stated that they currently attend births; 595 of those elaborated about the impact of COVID-19 on perinatal care in free-text comments. Eight themes emerged related to the impact of COVID-19 on perinatal care: visitation, patient decisions, testing, personal protective equipment, care continuity, changes in care delivery, reassignment, and volume. The greatest perceived impact of COVID-19 was on patient experience. CONCLUSIONS: Family physicians who provided perinatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic noted a considerable impact on patient experience, which particularly affected the ability to deliver patient-centered and family-centered care. Continued research is needed to understand the long-term impact of policies affecting the delivery of patient-centered perinatal care and to inform more evidence-based, proactive policies to be implemented in future pandemic or disaster situations. ABFM Research Read all 2015 Only one third of family physicians can estimate their patient panel size Go to Only one third of family physicians can estimate their patient panel size 2020 General Practitioners in US Medical Practice Compared With Family Physicians Go to General Practitioners in US Medical Practice Compared With Family Physicians 2016 Care Coordination for Primary Care Practice Go to Care Coordination for Primary Care Practice 2015 Smaller Practices Are Less Likely to Report PCMH Certification Go to Smaller Practices Are Less Likely to Report PCMH Certification
Author(s) Goldstein, Jessica Taylor, Eden, Aimee R, Taylor, Melina K, Dotson, Andrea, and Barreto, Tyler W Topic(s) Role of Primary Care, Achieving Health System Goals, and What Family Physicians Do Keyword(s) Maternity Care, and Quality Of Care Volume Birth Source Birth
ABFM Research Read all 2015 Only one third of family physicians can estimate their patient panel size Go to Only one third of family physicians can estimate their patient panel size 2020 General Practitioners in US Medical Practice Compared With Family Physicians Go to General Practitioners in US Medical Practice Compared With Family Physicians 2016 Care Coordination for Primary Care Practice Go to Care Coordination for Primary Care Practice 2015 Smaller Practices Are Less Likely to Report PCMH Certification Go to Smaller Practices Are Less Likely to Report PCMH Certification
2015 Only one third of family physicians can estimate their patient panel size Go to Only one third of family physicians can estimate their patient panel size
2020 General Practitioners in US Medical Practice Compared With Family Physicians Go to General Practitioners in US Medical Practice Compared With Family Physicians
2015 Smaller Practices Are Less Likely to Report PCMH Certification Go to Smaller Practices Are Less Likely to Report PCMH Certification
