Open AccessEnsuring Equitable Implementation of Telemedicine in Perinatal Care
Author(s) -
Erinma P. Ukoha,
Kelly D. Davis,
Meredith Yinger,
Blythe A Butler,
Tamia Ross,
Joia Crear-Perry,
Misa Perron-Burdick,
Malini A. Nijagal
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
obstetrics and gynecology (new york. 1953. online)/obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1873-233X
pISSN - 0029-7844
DOI - 10.1097/aog.0000000000004276
Subject(s) - telemedicine , medicine , pandemic , covid-19 , health care , medline , healthcare delivery , medical emergency , nursing , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , economic growth , outbreak , political science , law , economics
The use of telemedicine in U.S. perinatal care has drastically increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and will likely continue given the national focus on high-value, patient-centered care. If implemented in an equitable manner, telemedicine has the potential to reduce disparities in care access and related outcomes that stem from systemic racism, implicit biases and other forms of discrimination within our health care system. In this commentary, we address implementation factors that should be considered to ensure that disparities are not widened as telemedicine becomes more integrated into care delivery.