Access to rideshare and satisfaction, prenatal healthcare utilisation, and preterm delivery among pregnant Medicaid recipients: A randomised controlled trial

BackgroundLack of access to reliable transportation is a barrier to timely receipt of prenatal care. ObjectivesWe aimed to assess the impact of modernisation of non-emergency medical transportation services on patient satisfaction, prenatal care utilisation, and preterm delivery. MethodsWe conducted a randomised controlled pilot trial among pregnant Medicaid recipients in Franklin County, Ohio, a county with high rates of infant mortality. Individuals were randomly assigned to usual non-emergency medical transportation services or enhanced smart transportation (EST) services (i.e. on-demand transportation with access to a mobile application and trips to the grocery store, food bank or pharmacy). The primary outcome was satisfaction with transportation services. Secondary outcomes included adequacy of prenatal care utilisation (APNCU) and preterm delivery <37 weeks. ResultsWomen were screened between 31 May 2019 and 30 June 2020, with 143 being eligible and enrolling. Evidence of increased satisfaction with transportation was observed in the intervention group compared to usual transportation, with 83.8% and 68.8% reporting being somewhat satisfied or very satisfied respectively [risk difference 14.78%, 95% confidence interval [CI] (0.51, 29.06). There were no meaningful differences in APNCU or preterm delivery between groups (risk difference for APNCU 2.08%, 95% CI -13.99, 18.16 and [risk difference for preterm delivery -3.87%, 95% CI -17.02, 9.29). ConclusionsWe found evidence of increased transportation satisfaction among pregnant women randomly assigned to EST versus usual transportation. It remains unclear whether the provision of EST increases prenatal care utilisation or decreases preterm delivery.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess the impact of modernisation of non-emergency medical transportation services on patient satisfaction, prenatal care utilization, and preterm delivery. A randomised controlled pilot trial was conducted among pregnant Medicaid recipients in Franklin County, Ohio. The results showed that enhanced smart transportation services, compared to usual transportation, increased satisfaction with transportation services among pregnant women. However, there were no significant effects on prenatal care utilization and preterm delivery.