1206-P: Benefits of Virtual Shared Medical Appointments for Gestational Diabetes

Background: The rate of gestational diabetes (GDM) has increased over the past decade, now effecting up to 14% of pregnancies worldwide. Studies show that these woman benefit from diabetes education, nutrition education and a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) consultation. However, accommodating this increasing number of women, especially in the middle of a global pandemic, can be challenging. Purpose: First, to develop a curriculum for women with GDM to empower them to optimally manage their diabetes in pregnancy. Second, to evaluate whether this curriculum could be used in a virtual shared medical appointment (SMA) to accommodate more patients while protecting their health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: A virtual SMA was created in the electronic medical record using a zoom platform. Up to ten women are seen during this 2-2.5 hour visit. From 1/1/2022 through 12/31/22, 159 women participated in the program. On average, women attended the SMA within 12.9 days of the consult request. All women received a copy of the curriculum via email prior to the visit. During the visit, patients received their MFM consult, diabetes education, and nutrition counseling in a group format. The visit included a one-on-one breakout room with a MFM provider to discuss personal history, glucose levels and use of medication if necessary. Women were billed through insurance for the MFM consultation as well as group nutrition counseling. Of the 159 participants, 139 have delivered. Eighty-nine (64%) women had a vaginal delivery and 50 (36%) had a cesarean delivery. Conclusion: A virtual SMA is an efficient and effective format for educating women with GDM during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Access to these resources was faster for women in the SMA versus those who received individual MFM consultations, nutrition counseling and diabetes education. The rate of cesarean delivery was lower than the rate reported in the literature for women with GDM. Patient reported outcomes regarding this format have also been favorable.