Implementation, benefits and barriers of telenursing in postnatal and maternal-child healthcare: a scoping review

Introduction Postnatal and maternal-child health requires continuous monitoring, education and psychosocial support across pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period, yet access to timely and equitable services remains uneven, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Telenursing has emerged as a potential solution to improve continuity of care, but evidence on its application in postnatal and maternal-child healthcare contexts is fragmented. Aim This scoping review aimed to map the existing literature on telenursing interventions in postnatal and maternal-child health, focusing on implementation strategies, benefits, barriers, acceptance and sustainability. Methods The review followed Arksey and O9Malley’s methodological framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting guidelines. Result A systematic search was conducted in four electronic databases, resulting in 21 publications being included. Six themes emerged, encompassing clinical management and monitoring, maternal and postnatal education, psychosocial and mental health support, healthcare delivery models, communication and continuity and support for neonatal outcomes. Discussion Telenursing interventions (telephone counselling, video consultations and messaging platforms) were frequently reported to assist in reducing postpartum anxiety and depression, enhancing maternal self-efficacy and better neonatal transition support. However, significant barriers such as digital literacy gaps, weak internet connectivity, privacy concerns, high staff workload and medicolegal uncertainties were consistently reported. Conclusion Telenursing shows strong potential to strengthen postnatal and maternal-child health services by improving accessibility, maternal self-efficacy, breastfeeding outcomes and neonatal transition support. Successful integration requires hybrid models, cultural adaptation, robust digital infrastructure and clear policy frameworks. Targeted training and legal safeguards enable sustainable, equitable nurse-led telenursing in rural–urban settings. Trial registration number 10.17605/OSF.IO/UJKH6.