Increasing Access to Rural Preconception Care Through Telemedicine: A Proposed Simulation
Work Type
Poster
Abstract
Preconception care is vital to fostering positive maternal and fetal healthcare outcomes and serves to optimize maternal health and prepare the patient for pregnancy. Unfortunately, access to this type of care within rural communities is often limited, creating a deficit in care to these populations.
To address this gap, my literature review examined existing research on the need for preconception care in rural communities, the barriers to accessing this care, patient perspectives on using telemedicine in this context, and the overall effectiveness of delivering preconception care via telemedicine. The question that guided my research focused on whether telemedicine can be effectively utilized to enhance preconception care access and outreach for patients living in rural areas.
Studies have shown that the health statuses of rural women in preconception stages are suboptimal, highlighting issues such as smoking, obesity, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, limited folic acid supplementation, and decreased physical activity. Barriers to care include a lack of OBGYN providers located in rural communities, long travel distances to receive care, unreliable transportation or childcare, difficulty obtaining time off work, and generational influence and misinformation regarding preconception care. Studies demonstrated that women generally have a positive perception of telemedicine when it comes to preconception care and reproductive health services, and telemedicine care has demonstrated efficacy in improving maternal-fetal health and outcomes.
This capstone project is aimed to increase access to preconception health care through telemedicine for patients in rural communities who may have significant barriers to receiving face-to-face care. To do so, I have created a formative telehealth simulation regarding preconception care intended as a learning experience for PAs to prepare and familiarize themselves with providing this type of care in a virtual setting.
Publication Date
5-17-2026
Citation Information
Cahill, Hannah, "Increasing Access to Rural Preconception Care Through Telemedicine: A Proposed Simulation" (2026). Student Works Physician Assistant. 24.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/stu_pa/24
