A new study by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) reveals that postpartum mothers who receive telehealth services are more likely to undergo critical screenings for depression, abuse, and smoking compared to those attending only in-person visits.
Led by Don Willis of the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation, the research suggests virtual care plays a valuable role in enhancing postpartum health outcomes, particularly in facilitating screenings that can identify serious maternal health risks.
“Our view is that virtual care should complement—not replace—in-person visits,” said Willis in an interview with Ozarks at Large. “There’s still a lot of care that must happen face-to-face, but virtual appointments are showing promise, especially for these screenings.”
Although the study does not establish causation, it found a clear association: women who accessed any form of telehealth postpartum were screened at significantly higher rates. However, the research does not yet clarify whether these screenings occurred during virtual or in-person visits.
Postpartum Period: A Critical Window for Maternal Health
Willis emphasized the urgency of quality postpartum care, noting that over 80% of maternal deaths in the U.S. are preventable, and the majority occur between 7 and 365 days after childbirth.
“This is a crucial time to intervene,” he explained. “Many pregnancy-related deaths are linked to suicide and homicide—conditions we can identify with proper screening.”
Screening for depression and physical or emotional abuse can be lifesaving. Yet postpartum check-ins typically occur at the 4- to 6-week mark, often when new mothers are returning to work. This makes it harder to attend in-person appointments.
Virtual care provides flexibility: a mother can step into her car during a lunch break for a quick video consultation rather than take a day off or find childcare.
Virtual Care Reduces Barriers—But Has Its Own
While telehealth eliminates several access challenges—such as transportation or work schedule conflicts—it introduces new ones. Patients must have internet access, a private setting, and technological literacy to participate.
Despite these challenges, most women in the study managed to overcome them, according to Willis. In fact, sensitive topics like emotional abuse and depression may be easier to discuss in a virtual environment, provided there’s privacy.
“It’s vital to ensure privacy during virtual screenings,” Willis said. “In cases of abuse, you don’t always know if the abuser is nearby.”
Telehealth: A Practical Step, Not a Final Solution
Willis warned against viewing telehealth as a complete solution, urging ongoing improvements in maternal health access and outcomes.
“Virtual care is helpful, but we must keep striving for better,” he said. “Screening rates are higher, but not high enough. The goal should be zero maternal deaths.”
He also stressed that postpartum care must be treated as a continuum, not a one-time checkup. Removing a single barrier—like transportation—through virtual care could encourage mothers to re-engage with the healthcare system later.
“If we say, ‘We want to care for you,’ even through a screen, it might open the door to future in-person care,” Willis noted.
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