Telemedicine in Antenatal Care: A Systematic Review of Healthcare Utilization, Maternal Satisfaction, and Maternal- Neonatal Outcomes

Background: Telemedicine has become an increasingly important strategy for improving access to healthcare services and maintaining continuity of care during pregnancy. Its rapid expansion following the COVID-۱۹ pandemic has highlighted its potential role in antenatal care; however, concerns regarding safety and clinical effectiveness remain. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of telemedicine in antenatal care, focusing on healthcare utilization, maternal satisfaction, maternal outcomes, neonatal outcomes, and implementation challenges. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and SID databases. Studies published between ۲۰۱۵ and ۲۰۲۶ were identified using keywords related to telemedicine, telehealth, antenatal care, maternal outcomes, and neonatal outcomes. Following screening, eligibility assessment, and quality appraisal, ۴۰ studies were included in the final review. Findings were synthesized using qualitative content analysis. Results: The reviewed evidence demonstrated that telemedicine effectively supports antenatal care while maintaining maternal and neonatal safety. Telemedicine was associated with high maternal satisfaction, improved healthcare accessibility, enhanced patient education, and reduced unnecessary healthcare utilization. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were generally comparable to those reported in conventional care models. However, challenges related to technological limitations, reimbursement barriers, digital inequalities, and delayed recognition of pregnancy complications were identified. Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that telemedicine is a safe, acceptable, and effective complementary approach to antenatal care. Successful implementation requires adequate infrastructure, equitable access, supportive health policies, and appropriate integration with conventional face-to-face care.

کلیدواژه ها:

Telemedicine ، Telehealth ، Antenant Care ، Prenatal Care ، Maternal Outcomes ، Neonatal Outcomes