Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

The patient experience of receiving virtual care for gestational diabetes. Sharon Brudnyi 1, Stacy Kozak 1, Alan Martino 1, Erin Brennand 1, Simren Tehrin 1, Doreen M. Rabi 1, Jamie L. Benham 1. 1University of Calgary. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition affecting biologic females, characterized by high blood sugar in pregnancy. GDM is a sex-specific predictor of cardiometabolic health, disproportionately increasing heart disease risk in women and gender-diverse individuals. Timely GDM care reduces complications and offers an opportunity for early cardiometabolic risk-reduction. Access to in-person care varies across area of residence in Alberta. Since COVID-19, virtual care is common in GDM management with promising clinical outcomes; yet, a gap exists in evaluating virtual care from a patient perspective. The study's objective is to explore the patient experience of receiving virtual care for GDM management in Alberta through qualitative descriptive methodology. Eligible participants had GDM in their most recent pregnancy within the past two years and received virtual GDM care in Alberta. Data were collected from 35 participants via semi-structured focus groups and interviews, with participants grouped by geographic area (20 urban, 15 rural). Data was analyzed by two coders in NVivo Software using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Patient-partner feedback was considered throughout the study to best represent patient experiences. Early findings suggest that the convenience of virtual care is critical for pregnant persons navigating GDM and pregnancy, especially where intersecting structural factors-like rural residence, income, and caregiving roles-intensify barriers to accessing in-person care. However, virtual care can be optimized to better reflect patient values and their unique contexts. Findings will guide quality improvement of virtual GDM care, as directed by patients, to make it more accessible. Research is funded by the MSI Foundation.