Quality and satisfaction with care following changes to the structure of obstetric care during the COVID-19 pandemic in a safety-net hospital in Georgia: Results from a mixed-methods study.

Objective: To understand perceived quality of obstetric care following changes to the structure of care in a safety-net institution during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study including a web-based survey (n = 67) and in-depth interviews (n = 16) between October 2020 and January 2021. We present a descriptive analysis of quantitative results and key qualitative themes on reactions to changes and drivers of perceived quality.

Results: Reported quality was high for in-person and phone visits (median subscale responses: 5/5). Respondents were willing to include phone visits in care for a future pregnancy (77.8% (49)) but preferred in-person visits (84.1% (53)). In interviews, provider communication was the key driver of quality. Respondents found changes to care to be inconvenient but acceptable.

Conclusions: To improve satisfaction with changes to care, health systems should ensure that relationship building remains a priority and offer patients information about the reason behind changes.