Telemidwifery: A scoping review on applications, advantages and obstacles

Telemidwifery, the provision of midwifery care through telecommunication technologies, presents a promising approach to enhance maternal healthcare accessibility and quality. However, a comprehensive understanding of its advantages and obstacles is crucial for its effective implementation. This scoping review aims to systematically explore the existing literature on telemidwifery, focusing on elucidating its potential applications, advantages and obstacles.

This scoping review follows the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted using predefined search terms related to telemedicine and midwifery. Articles were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were extracted and synthesized to explore different aspects of telemidwifery.

Of the 680 articles retrieved, 65 were included in this review. Three ways Synchronous and asynchronous (n= 24, 39%), Synchronous (n= 23, 38%), and aynchronous (n= 14, 23%) were commonly used for delivering telemidwifery services. Telephone (n=20) and Video conferencing (n=19) were the primary technologies used for service delivery. A total of 346 telemidwifery applications (n=105), advantages (n=182), and obstacles (n=59) were identified. After consolidating similar items, 128 remained: applications (n=61), advantages (n=51), and obstacles (n=16). The most significant applications were "Virtual visits for offering perinatal care" (n=7), "Education on pregnancy complications and risk factors" (n=6), and "Providing information on breastfeeding and infant issues" (n=6). Key advantages included "Increasing people's knowledge, awareness and skills" (n=16), "Access to telemidvifery services anytime and anywhere" (n=14). The primary obstacles were ""Limited access and slow internet connectivity anytime, anywhere" (n=13), " Lack of support for non-English-speaking individuals" (n=7) and "Lack of sufficient digital skills and literacy " (n=6).

This review is the first study that offers insights into its applications, advantages, and obstacles, stressing the importance of understanding them for effective implementation. Targeted strategies are needed to maximize benefits and overcome challenges.