Table 6.

Interviews: Facilitators and challenges in remote monitoring (n = 18)

Code	n (%)	Illustrative Quote(s)
Facilitators
Easy to use	8 (44)	“[It was] pretty easy and self-explanatory.”
Hands-on instructions	6 (33)	“Before my virtual appointment, actually two appointments before, they showed me at each one just to make sure I didn’t forget.” “He did… walk me through how to do the Doppler – to put the gel on, and where you would most likely find it.”
Verbal instructions	5 (28)	“[The doctor] gave me tips and tricks to be successful.”
Self or family works in medicine	4 (22)	“I’ve ultrasounded people’s bellies before. I do not do it regularly, nor have I done it in years… but I’m familiar with the technology.”
Instructions provided (written, verbal, video)	4 (22)	“There’s written instructions in the [blood pressure cuff] box, but it also [tells you what to do] out loud when you turn it on… There was instructions in the[Doppler] box as well.”
Answered questions	3 (17)	“By the time the virtual visit came around… I felt confident because I had had the opportunity to ask questions.”
Medical grade quality	2 (11)	“I had a blood pressure cuff that I didn’t fully trust [with my last pregnancy]… [with virtual visits], I got access to equipment that is reliable.”
Challenges
Difficulty using	6 (33)	“The first time we did have to punt a bit…it was [some] trial and error.” “[My baby] was moving around… so it was hard for me to find [his heartbeat].”
Equipment problem	4 (22)	“The batteries didn’t work, so I had to pull batteries out of the remote.” “The blood pressure cuff was… a large, and it’s too big, so it doesn’t read [my blood pressure accurately].”
Not confident	3 (17)	“I’m less comfortable in my abilities to get the readings… correct.” “The hardest part was… is this my heartbeat or the baby’s.”
No in-office instruction	3 (17)	“I think that they basically assumed we knew how to use it because we’ve been going to so many appointments.” “I didn’t get any instructions… I don’t even think there were instructions in the bag.”
Allotted insufficient time before visit	2 (11)	“Because I was running late and trying to get ready for my appointment, being rushed made it… more challenging.”