“But I’m not a professional” − How women with high-risk pregnancies voice the experiences of home-based telemonitoring; a qualitative interview study

Objectives

Telemonitoring of high-risk pregnancy complications is a new approach that offers remote obstetric caregiving using mobile and wireless technologies. New evidence shows that home-based obstetric telemonitoring is not only feasible but also a safe alternative to inpatient or frequent outpatient care. As little is known how performing obstetric telemonitoring is perceived, this study examined how women with pregnancy complications experienced performing home-based telemonitoring.

Methods

A qualitative, semi-structured interview study was conducted with women with ongoing experience in performing home-based telemonitoring procedures for high-risk pregnancy complications. Purposeful sampling strategy and data saturation were applied followed by verbatim transcription. The data were analyzed using systematic text condensation.

Results

Fifteen informants participated in the study and four major themes emerged. The study revealed that performing telemonitoring was overall positively experienced as an ‘Empowering yet challenging responsibility’ as well as an ‘Extended patient-clinician partnership.’ There were pros and cons as to the influence of telemonitoring in everyday life; ‘Tele-comfort yet ambivalence’ and that it could be accompanied by annoying practical issues; ‘Accompanying remote issues.’

Conclusions

Performing obstetric telemonitoring was experienced as an empowering yet challenging responsibility as well as an extended partnership between the clinician and the pregnant woman. Pros and cons were voiced as to the influence and ambivalence of telemonitoring in everyday life, and that it could be accompanied by annoying practical issues. Patient aspects and experiences of telemonitoring are important clinical knowledge that must be considered when a telemonitoring plan is tailored preferably in a shared decision-making process.