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Barnawi NA, Al-Otaibi H, Alkhudairy AI, Alajlan MA, Alajlan RA, Alay SM, Alqahtani SM, Bushnak IA, Abolfotouh MA. Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude, and Skills (AKAS) of Telemedicine and Its Use by Primary Healthcare Providers. Int J Gen Med 2024; 17:1047-1058. [PMID: 38532847 PMCID: PMC10964027 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s452641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to determine the rate of telemedicine (TM) use and the levels of awareness, knowledge, attitude, and skills of TM among primary healthcare (PHC) providers. Methods In a cross-sectional study, 104 PHC providers were subjected to a validated AKAS scale via Survey Monkey. The tool consists of 4 parameters that users can respond to using a 4-point Likert scale to assess their awareness (12 statements), knowledge (11 statements), attitude (11 statements), and skills (13 statements) on TM. Total and percentage mean scores (PMS) were calculated for each parameter. Participants were categorized in each parameter into three categories: low (≤ 49% score), average (50-70% score), and high (≥ 71% score) levels. The association of AKAS levels with personal characteristics and TM use was investigated. The significance was set at p<0.05. Results One-half of participants (51%) reported current use of TM, and two-thirds (63.5%) reported a high level of AKAS, with a PMS of 72.9±14.7, 95% CI: 70.1-75.7. There were significant associations between the following: years of experience and levels of knowledge (Χ2LT = 6.77, p= 0.009) and skills (Χ2LT = 4.85, p = 0.028), respectively; and total household income and levels of skills (Χ2LT = 6.91, p= 0.009). The rate of TM use was significantly associated with awareness levels (Χ2LT = 6.14, p = 0.013). Lack of training ranked as the first barrier (45.5%), followed by connection problems and tools' unavailability (35.1% each). The participants recommended providing TM training (41.1%) and stabilization of connection and networking signals (30.1%). Conclusion Despite their high level of TM awareness, the rate of TM use by PHC providers is less than satisfactory. Establishing standardized TM training and supporting the network signals are recommended. A large-scale study on the impact of TM integration with PHC services is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najla A Barnawi
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC)/King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences/Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Nursing, King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Science (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hazza Al-Otaibi
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC)/King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences/Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmaceutical Care Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz I Alkhudairy
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Science (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A Alajlan
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Science (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Renad A Alajlan
- College of Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saeed M Alay
- College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Science (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ibraheem A Bushnak
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC)/King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences/Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mostafa A Abolfotouh
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC)/King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences/Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Singh A, Schooley B, Patel N. Effects of User-Reported Risk Factors and Follow-Up Care Activities on Satisfaction With a COVID-19 Chatbot: Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2023; 11:e43105. [PMID: 38096007 PMCID: PMC10727483 DOI: 10.2196/43105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic influenced many to consider methods to reduce human contact and ease the burden placed on health care workers. Conversational agents or chatbots are a set of technologies that may aid with these challenges. They may provide useful interactions for users, potentially reducing the health care worker burden while increasing user satisfaction. Research aims to understand these potential impacts of chatbots and conversational recommender systems and their associated design features. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate user perceptions of the helpfulness of an artificial intelligence chatbot that was offered free to the public in response to COVID-19. The chatbot engaged patients and provided educational information and the opportunity to report symptoms, understand personal risks, and receive referrals for care. METHODS A cross-sectional study design was used to analyze 82,222 chats collected from patients in South Carolina seeking services from the Prisma Health system. Chi-square tests and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between reported risk factors and perceived chat helpfulness using chats started between April 24, 2020, and April 21, 2022. RESULTS A total of 82,222 chat series were started with at least one question or response on record; 53,805 symptom checker questions with at least one COVID-19-related activity series were completed, with 5191 individuals clicking further to receive a virtual video visit and 2215 clicking further to make an appointment with a local physician. Patients who were aged >65 years (P<.001), reported comorbidities (P<.001), had been in contact with a person with COVID-19 in the last 14 days (P<.001), and responded to symptom checker questions that placed them at a higher risk of COVID-19 (P<.001) were 1.8 times more likely to report the chat as helpful than those who reported lower risk factors. Users who engaged with the chatbot to conduct a series of activities were more likely to find the chat helpful (P<.001), including seeking COVID-19 information (3.97-4.07 times), in-person appointments (2.46-1.99 times), telehealth appointments with a nearby provider (2.48-1.9 times), or vaccination (2.9-3.85 times) compared with those who did not perform any of these activities. CONCLUSIONS Chatbots that are designed to target high-risk user groups and provide relevant actionable items may be perceived as a helpful approach to early contact with the health system for assessing communicable disease symptoms and follow-up care options at home before virtual or in-person contact with health care providers. The results identified and validated significant design factors for conversational recommender systems, including triangulating a high-risk target user population and providing relevant actionable items for users to choose from as part of user engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Singh
- Department of Health Services Administration, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Benjamin Schooley
- IT & Cybersecurity, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Nitin Patel
- Hackensack Meridian Health, Hackensack, NJ, United States
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Bohnhoff JC, Guyon-Harris K, Schweiberger K, Ray KN. General and subspecialist pediatrician perspectives on barriers and strategies for referral: a latent profile analysis. BMC Pediatr 2023; 23:576. [PMID: 37980515 PMCID: PMC10656818 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04400-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children in need of pediatric subspecialty care may encounter multiple barriers, and multiple strategies have been suggested to improve access. The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of general and subspecialty pediatric physicians regarding barriers to subspecialty care and the value of strategies to improve subspecialty access. METHODS We surveyed a national sample of 1680 general pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists in May and June 2020 regarding 11 barriers to subspecialty care and 9 strategies to improve access to subspecialty care, selected from recent literature. Using latent profile analysis, respondents were grouped according to the degree to which they believed each of the barriers impacted access to subspecialty care. Using chi-squared tests, we compared the profiles based on respondent characteristics and perspectives on strategies to improve access. RESULTS The response rate was 17%. In 263 responses completed and eligible for inclusion, the barriers most frequently described as "major problems" were wait times (57%), lack of subspecialists (45%) and difficulty scheduling (41%). Respondents were classified into 4 profiles: "Broad concerns," "Subspecialist availability concerns," "Clinician communication concerns," and "Few concerns." These profiles varied significantly by respondent specialty (p < .001, with medical subspecialists overrepresented in the "Clinician communication" profile, psychiatrists in the "subspecialist availability" profile, and surgeons in the "few concerns" profile); and by respondents' typical wait time for appointments (p < .001, with physicians with the longest wait times overrepresented in the "subspecialist availability" profile). CONCLUSIONS We found specific profiles in clinician views regarding barriers to subspecialty care which were associated with perspectives on strategies aimed at overcoming these barriers. These results suggest that health systems aiming to improve subspecialty access should first identify the barriers and preferences specific to local clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Bohnhoff
- Department of Pediatrics, Maine Health, 1577 Congress St Fl 1, Portland, ME, 04102, USA.
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population and Health Research, Maine Health Institute of Research, Scarborough, ME, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Katherine Guyon-Harris
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kelsey Schweiberger
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of General Academic Pediatrics, UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kristin N Ray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of General Academic Pediatrics, UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Vasan A, Kyle MA, Venkataramani AS, Kenyon CC, Fiks AG. Inequities in Time Spent Coordinating Care for Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs. Acad Pediatr 2023; 23:1526-1534. [PMID: 36918094 PMCID: PMC10495536 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In the United States, caregivers of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) must navigate complex, inefficient health care and insurance systems to access medical care. We assessed for sociodemographic inequities in time spent coordinating care for CYSHCN and examined the association between time spent coordinating care and forgone medical care. METHODS This cross-sectional study used data from the 2018-2020 National Survey of Children's Health, which included 102,740 children across all 50 states. We described the time spent coordinating care for children with less complex special health care needs (SHCN) (managed through medications) and more complex SHCN (resulting in functional limitations or requiring specialized therapies). We examined race-, ethnicity-, income-, and insurance-based differences in time spent coordinating care among CYSHCN and used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between time spent coordinating care and forgone medical care. RESULTS Over 40% of caregivers of children with more complex SHCN reported spending time coordinating their children's care each week. CYSHCN whose caregivers spent ≥ 5 h/wk on care coordination were disproportionately Hispanic, low-income, and publicly insured or uninsured. Increased time spent coordinating care was associated with an increasing probability of forgone medical care: 6.7% for children whose caregivers spent no weekly time coordinating care versus 9.4% for< 1 hour; 11.4% for 1 to 4 hours; and 15.8% for ≥ 5 hours. CONCLUSIONS Reducing time spent coordinating care and providing additional support to low-income and minoritized caregivers may be beneficial for pediatric payers, policymakers, and health systems aiming to promote equitable access to health care for CYSHCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Vasan
- Department of Pediatrics (A Vasan, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa; PolicyLab and Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness (A Vasan, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pa; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (A Vasan, AS Venkataramani, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
| | - Michael Anne Kyle
- Department of Health Care Policy (MA Kyle), Harvard Medical School and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Mass.
| | - Atheendar S Venkataramani
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (A Vasan, AS Venkataramani, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa; Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy (AS Venkataramani), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Calif.
| | - Chén C Kenyon
- Department of Pediatrics (A Vasan, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa; PolicyLab and Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness (A Vasan, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pa; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (A Vasan, AS Venkataramani, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
| | - Alexander G Fiks
- Department of Pediatrics (A Vasan, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa; PolicyLab and Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness (A Vasan, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pa; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (A Vasan, AS Venkataramani, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
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Michel HK, Gorham TJ, Lee JA, Liu SB, Wright M, Maltz RM, Dotson JL. Impact of Telemedicine on Delivery of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2023; 77:519-526. [PMID: 37501225 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000003903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Outpatient inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care shifted from office visits (OVs) to a model with integrated telemedicine during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. We describe the impact of this shift on delivery of pediatric IBD care. METHODS We collected electronic medical record data from office and telemedicine visits for pediatric patients with IBD at a single center from April 2019 to December 2020. We compared visit volume, duration, and test ordering between 2019 and 2020, and between OV and telemedicine, and assessed for differences in telemedicine adoption by sociodemographic factors. RESULTS Visit volume was maintained between 2019 and 2020. Median overall appointment time was shorter for telemedicine versus OV [46 (interquartile range, IQR 35-72) vs 62 (IQR 51-80) minutes; P < 0.001] with no significant difference in time spent with provider [28 (IQR 21-41) vs OV 30 (IQR 24-39) minutes; P = 0.08]. Accounting for drive time, telemedicine visits were 2.6 times shorter than office visits in 2020 ( P < 0.001). In univariate analyses, there was no difference in telemedicine utilization by race or gender. Variables significantly associated with telemedicine were older age, English as primary language, being non-Hispanic, commercial insurance, living in an area of very high opportunity, and having a longer drive time to the office ( P < 0.05 for all comparisons). In multivariate analyses, visits among patients with commercial insurance were significantly more likely to be conducted via telemedicine ( P = 0.02). Among those with a telemedicine visit, multivariate analyses demonstrated multiracial patients were significantly more likely to have video visits (vs audio-only; P = 0.02), while patients with public insurance, no or missing insurance, and whose primary language was Arabic were significantly less likely to have video visits ( P < 0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS Integrated telemedicine allowed for continued delivery of pediatric IBD care and significantly decreased appointment time. While telemedicine may improve access for those who live further from the office, concerns remain about the introduction of disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary K Michel
- From the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
- the Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
| | - Tyler J Gorham
- Information Technology Research & Innovation, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Jennifer A Lee
- From the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
- the Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
- the Department of Biomedical Informatics, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Swan Bee Liu
- Information Technology Research & Innovation, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Molly Wright
- the Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Ross M Maltz
- From the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
- the Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
| | - Jennifer L Dotson
- From the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
- the Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
- the Center for Child Health Equity and Outcomes Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
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Pergolizzi J, LeQuang JAK, Vasiliu-Feltes I, Breve F, Varrassi G. Brave New Healthcare: A Narrative Review of Digital Healthcare in American Medicine. Cureus 2023; 15:e46489. [PMID: 37927734 PMCID: PMC10623488 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The digital revolution has had a profound effect on American and global healthcare, which was accelerated by the pandemic and telehealth applications. Digital health also includes popular and more esoteric forms of wearable monitoring systems and interscatter and other wireless technologies that facilitate their telemetry. The rise in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) may serve to improve interpretation from imaging technologies to electrocardiography or electroencephalographic tracings, and new ML techniques may allow these systems to scan data to discern and contextualize patterns that may have evaded human physicians. The necessity of virtual care during the pandemic has morphed into new treatment paradigms, which have gained patient acceptance but still raise issues with respect to privacy laws and credentialing. Augmented and virtual reality tools can facilitate surgical planning and "hands-on" clinical training activities. Patients are working with new frontiers in digital health in the form of "Dr. Google" and patient support websites to learn or share medical information. Patient-facing digital health information is both a blessing and curse, in that it can be a boon to health-literate patients who seek to be more active in their own care. On the other hand, digital health information can lead to false conclusions, catastrophizing, misunderstandings, and "cyberchondria." The role of blockchain, familiar from cryptocurrency, may play a role in future healthcare information and would serve as a disruptive, decentralizing, and potentially beneficial change. These important changes are both exciting and perplexing as clinicians and their patients learn to navigate this new system and how we address the questions it raises, such as medical privacy in a digital age. The goal of this review is to explore the vast range of digital health and how it may impact the healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Frank Breve
- Department of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
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Dougherty D, Thompson AR, Speck KE, Perrone EE. Preoperative virtual video visits only: a convenient option that should be offered to caregivers beyond the pandemic. WORLD JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY 2022; 5:e000403. [DOI: 10.1136/wjps-2021-000403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, our group implemented preoperative video visits (VVs) to limit physical contact. The aim of this study was to determine caregivers’ and providers’ perceptions of this practice and to determine feasibility for continuation.MethodsAll patients who had only a preoperative VV prior to an elective surgery were identified from March–October 2020. Caregivers, surgeons, and clinic staff were surveyed about their experiences.ResultsThirty-four preoperative VVs were followed by an elective surgery without a preceding in-person visit. Of the 31 caregiver surveys completed, the majority strongly agreed that the VV was more convenient (87%, n=27). Eighty-one percent (n=25) strongly agreed or agreed that the VV saved them money. Ninety-four percent (n=29) strongly agreed or agreed that they would choose the VV option again. Caregivers saved an average travel distance of 60.3 miles one way (range 6.1–480). Of the 13/17 providers who responded, 77% (n=10) expressed that the practice should continue.ConclusionsVirtual health became a necessity during the pandemic, and caregivers were overwhelmingly satisfied. Continuing VVs as an option beyond the pandemic may be a reasonable and effective way to help eliminate some of the hurdles that impede healthcare-seeking behavior and should be offered.
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Use of telemedicine for initial outpatient subspecialist consultative visit: A national survey of general pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. HEALTHCARE (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 10:100600. [PMID: 34875456 PMCID: PMC8881319 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjdsi.2021.100600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence-based strategies are needed to support appropriate use of telemedicine for initial outpatient subspecialty consultative visits. To inform such strategies we performed a survey of general pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists about use of telemedicine for patients newly referred for pediatric subspecialty care. METHODS We developed and fielded an e-mail and postal survey of a national sample of 840 general pediatricians and 840 pediatric subspecialists in May and June 2020. RESULTS Of 266 completed surveys (17% response rate), 204 (76%) thought telemedicine should be offered for some and 29 (11%) thought telemedicine should be offered for all initial subspecialist visits. Most respondents who indicated telemedicine should be offered for some initial consultations believed this decision should be made by subspecialty attendings (176/204, 86%). Respondents prioritized several data elements to inform this decision, including clinical information and family-based contextual information (e.g., barriers to in-person care, interest in telemedicine, potential communication barriers). Factors perceived to reduce appropriateness of telemedicine for subspecialty consultation included need for interpreter services and prior history of frequent no-shows. Responses from generalists and subspecialists rarely differed significantly. CONCLUSIONS Survey results suggest potential opportunities to support the appropriate use of telemedicine for initial outpatient pediatric subspecialty visits through structured transfer of specific clinical and contextual information at the time of referral and through strategies to mitigate perceived communication or engagement barriers. IMPLICATION Pediatric physician beliefs about telemedicine for initial outpatient subspecialty consultative visits may inform future interventions to support appropriate telemedicine use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Survey of a national sample of clinicians.
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Van Cleave J, Stille C, Hall DE. Child Health, Vulnerability, and Complexity: Use of Telehealth to Enhance Care for Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs. Acad Pediatr 2022; 22:S34-S40. [PMID: 35248246 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Telehealth, or the use of telecommunications technology and infrastructure to deliver health-related services and information that support patient care, has the potential to improve the quality of care, particularly deficiencies related to access and patient experience of care. Telehealth may also reduce disparities for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) with barriers to accessing in-person care, for example, those residing in rural areas and children with medical complexity who are particularly fragile. While important foundational work has been done to study telehealth's effectiveness and implementation, key gaps remain regarding its use for CYSHCN. The CYSHCNet national research agenda development process, described in a companion article, identified as key priority areas for future research telehealth as an innovative care delivery model for all CYSHCN and as a mechanism to address rural-urban disparities in health care access. Here, we review the current knowledge around telehealth, identify populations for whom telehealth could be especially beneficial, discuss the important gaps identified, and make recommendations for specific studies that will move the field forward. There are ample opportunities for telehealth to improve health and patient/family experience of care and quality of life for CYSHCN while requiring less time and resources from families accessing this care. Innovative research to inform best practices around incorporation and implementation of telehealth will improve its efficiency and effectiveness and achieve optimal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Van Cleave
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado (J Van Cleave and C Stille), Aurora, Colo.
| | - Christopher Stille
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado (J Van Cleave and C Stille), Aurora, Colo
| | - David E Hall
- Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt (DE Hall), Nashville, Tenn
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Cahan EM, Maturi J, Bailey P, Fernandes S, Addala A, Kibrom S, Krissberg JR, Smith SM, Shah S, Wang E, Saynina O, Wise PH, Chamberlain LJ. The Impact of Telehealth Adoption During COVID-19 Pandemic on Patterns of Pediatric Subspecialty Care Utilization. Acad Pediatr 2022; 22:1375-1383. [PMID: 35318159 PMCID: PMC8933868 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2022.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic prompted health systems to rapidly adopt telehealth for clinical care. We examined the impact of demography, subspecialty characteristics, and broadband availability on the utilization of telehealth in pediatric populations before and after the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Outpatients scheduled for subspecialty visits at sites affiliated with a single quaternary academic medical center between March-June 2019 and March-June 2020 were included. The contribution of demographic, socioeconomic, and broadband availability to visit completion and telehealth utilization were examined in multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS Among visits scheduled in 2020 compared to 2019, in-person visits fell from 23,318 to 11,209, while telehealth visits increased from 150 to 7,675. Visits among established patients fell by 15% and new patients by 36% (P < .0001). Multivariable analysis revealed that completed visits were reduced for Hispanic patients and those with reduced broadband; high income, private non-HMO insurance, and those requesting an interpreter were more likely to complete visits. Those with visits scheduled in 2020, established patients, those with reduced broadband, and patients older than 1 year were more likely to complete TH appointments. Cardiology, oncology, and pulmonology patients were less likely to complete scheduled TH appointments. CONCLUSIONS Following COVID-19 onset, outpatient pediatric subspecialty visits shifted rapidly to telehealth. However, the impact of this shift on social disparities in outpatient utilization was mixed with variation among subspecialties. A growing reliance on telehealth will necessitate insights from other healthcare settings serving populations of diverse social and technological character.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli M. Cahan
- Department of Pediatrics (EM Cahan, J Maturi, P Bailey, S Fernandes, A Addala, S Kibrom, JR Krissberg, SM Smith, S Shah, E Wang, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif,New York University School of Medicine (EM Cahan), New York, NY,Address correspondence to Eli M. Cahan, MS, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford School of Medicine, 770 Welch Road, #100, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Jay Maturi
- Department of Pediatrics (EM Cahan, J Maturi, P Bailey, S Fernandes, A Addala, S Kibrom, JR Krissberg, SM Smith, S Shah, E Wang, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Paige Bailey
- Department of Pediatrics (EM Cahan, J Maturi, P Bailey, S Fernandes, A Addala, S Kibrom, JR Krissberg, SM Smith, S Shah, E Wang, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Susan Fernandes
- Department of Pediatrics (EM Cahan, J Maturi, P Bailey, S Fernandes, A Addala, S Kibrom, JR Krissberg, SM Smith, S Shah, E Wang, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif,Department of Medicine (S Fernandes), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Ananta Addala
- Department of Pediatrics (EM Cahan, J Maturi, P Bailey, S Fernandes, A Addala, S Kibrom, JR Krissberg, SM Smith, S Shah, E Wang, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Sara Kibrom
- Department of Pediatrics (EM Cahan, J Maturi, P Bailey, S Fernandes, A Addala, S Kibrom, JR Krissberg, SM Smith, S Shah, E Wang, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Jill R. Krissberg
- Department of Pediatrics (EM Cahan, J Maturi, P Bailey, S Fernandes, A Addala, S Kibrom, JR Krissberg, SM Smith, S Shah, E Wang, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Stephanie M. Smith
- Department of Pediatrics (EM Cahan, J Maturi, P Bailey, S Fernandes, A Addala, S Kibrom, JR Krissberg, SM Smith, S Shah, E Wang, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Sejal Shah
- Department of Pediatrics (EM Cahan, J Maturi, P Bailey, S Fernandes, A Addala, S Kibrom, JR Krissberg, SM Smith, S Shah, E Wang, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Ewen Wang
- Department of Pediatrics (EM Cahan, J Maturi, P Bailey, S Fernandes, A Addala, S Kibrom, JR Krissberg, SM Smith, S Shah, E Wang, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif,Center for Policy, Outcomes, and Prevention (E Wang, O Saynina, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif,Department of Emergency Medicine (E Wang), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Olga Saynina
- Center for Policy, Outcomes, and Prevention (E Wang, O Saynina, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Paul H. Wise
- Department of Pediatrics (EM Cahan, J Maturi, P Bailey, S Fernandes, A Addala, S Kibrom, JR Krissberg, SM Smith, S Shah, E Wang, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif,Center for Policy, Outcomes, and Prevention (E Wang, O Saynina, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Lisa J. Chamberlain
- Department of Pediatrics (EM Cahan, J Maturi, P Bailey, S Fernandes, A Addala, S Kibrom, JR Krissberg, SM Smith, S Shah, E Wang, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif,Center for Policy, Outcomes, and Prevention (E Wang, O Saynina, PH Wise, and LJ Chamberlain), Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
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11
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Ray KN, Keller D. Telehealth and pediatric care: policy to optimize access, outcomes, and equity. Pediatr Res 2022; 92:1496-1499. [PMID: 36114243 PMCID: PMC9483346 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02306-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin N. Ray
- grid.21925.3d0000 0004 1936 9000Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, 3414 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - David Keller
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XUniversity of Colorado Anschultz Medical Campus, 13001 East 17th Place, Campus Box C290, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
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12
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Jenssen BP, Thayer J, Nekrasova E, Grundmeier RW, Fiks AG. Innovation in the pediatric electronic health record to realize a more effective platform. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 2022; 52:101109. [PMID: 34895836 DOI: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2021.101109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Commercial electronic health records (EHRs) were first developed to automate business processes. As EHRs developed, design principles focused on transferring existing paper-based documentation to comparable electronic forms. In addition, a strong industry focus on adult healthcare settings and quality measures has limited attention and resources for high priority EHR functionality needed for the unique health care of children. The objective of this paper is to provide a review of innovation in the EHR, that includes a variety of established and emerging technologies that may help realize a more effective EHR in child health settings. A more effective EHR would serve as an electronic hub. Existing EHR infrastructure could provide the foundation upon which new technologies and approaches branch and extend, enabling more rapid and customizable innovation to better meet shifting stakeholder and end-user needs. Among many areas for improvement, key goals of innovation could include technology that relieves ambulatory primary care clinician documentation burden, identifies needs, and supports improved care coordination and outcomes, focused on the following key areas: identification of child and family care needs, decision support, documentation, care coordination, and family communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Jenssen
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The Possibilities Project, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness and PolicyLab, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), USA; Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Jeritt Thayer
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ekaterina Nekrasova
- The Possibilities Project, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness and PolicyLab, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), USA
| | - Robert W Grundmeier
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The Possibilities Project, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness and PolicyLab, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), USA; Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexander G Fiks
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The Possibilities Project, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness and PolicyLab, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), USA; Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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13
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Ford D, Warr E, Hamill C, He W, Pekar E, Harvey J, DuBose-Morris R, McGhee K, King K, Lenert L. Not Home Alone: Leveraging Telehealth and Informatics to Create a Lean Model for COVID-19 Patient Home Care. TELEMEDICINE REPORTS 2021; 2:239-246. [PMID: 34841422 PMCID: PMC8621622 DOI: 10.1089/tmr.2021.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In response to the emerging COVID-19 public health emergency in March 2020, the Medical University of South Carolina rapidly implemented an analytics-enhanced remote patient monitoring (RPM) program with state-wide reach for SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. Patient-reported data and other analytics were used to prioritize the sickest patients for contact by RPM nurses, enabling a small cadre of RPM nurses, with the support of ambulatory providers and urgent care video visits, to oversee 1234 patients, many of whom were older, from underserved populations, or at high risk of serious complications. Care was escalated based on prespecified criteria to primary care provider or emergency department visit, with 89% of moderate- to high-risk patients treated solely at home. The RPM nurses facilitated the continuity of care during escalation or de-escalation of care, provided much-needed emotional support to patients quarantining at home and helped find medical homes for patients with tenuous ties to health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dee Ford
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Emily Warr
- Center for Telehealth Department, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Cheryl Hamill
- Center for Telehealth Department, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Wenjun He
- South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute Department, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Ekaterina Pekar
- Department of Medicine, Information Solutions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jillian Harvey
- Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Ragan DuBose-Morris
- Center for Telehealth Department, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kimberly McGhee
- South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute Department, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Academic Affairs, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kathryn King
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Leslie Lenert
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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14
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Rankine J, Yeramosu D, Matheo L, Sequeira GM, Miller E, Ray KN. Optimizing e-Consultations to Adolescent Medicine Specialists: Qualitative Synthesis of Feedback From User-Centered Design. JMIR Hum Factors 2021; 8:e25568. [PMID: 34383665 PMCID: PMC8380586 DOI: 10.2196/25568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND e-Consultations between primary care physicians and specialists are a valuable means of improving access to specialty care. Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) face unique challenges in accessing limited adolescent medicine specialty care resources, which contributes to delayed or forgone care. e-Consultations between general pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists may alleviate these barriers to care. However, the optimal application of this model in adolescent medicine requires careful attention to the nuances of AYA care. OBJECTIVE This study aims to qualitatively analyze feedback obtained during the iterative development of an e-consultation system for communication between general pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists tailored to the specific health care needs of AYAs. METHODS We conducted an iterative user-centered design and evaluation process in two phases. In the first phase, we created a static e-consultation prototype and storyboards and evaluated them with target users (general pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists). In the second phase, we incorporated feedback to develop a functional prototype within the electronic health record and again evaluated this with general pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists. In each phase, general pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists provided think-aloud feedback during the use of the prototypes and semistructured exit interviews, which was qualitatively analyzed to identify perspectives related to the usefulness and usability of the e-consultation system. RESULTS Both general pediatricians (n=12) and adolescent medicine specialists (n=12) perceived the usefulness of e-consultations for AYA patients, with more varied perceptions of potential usefulness for generalist and adolescent medicine clinicians. General pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists discussed ways to maximize the usability of e-consultations for AYAs, primarily by improving efficiency (eg, reducing documentation, emphasizing critical information, using autopopulated data fields, and balancing specificity and efficiency through text prompts) and reducing the potential for errors (eg, prompting a review of autopopulated data fields, requiring physician contact information, and prompting explicit discussion of patient communication and confidentiality expectations). Through iterative design, patient history documentation was streamlined, whereas documentation of communication and confidentiality expectations were enhanced. CONCLUSIONS Through an iterative user-centered design process, we identified user perspectives to guide the refinement of an e-consultation system based on general pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist feedback on usefulness and usability related to the care of AYAs. Qualitative analysis of this feedback revealed both opportunities and risks related to confidentiality, communication, and the use of tailored documentation prompts that should be considered in the development and use of e-consultations with AYAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelin Rankine
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Deepika Yeramosu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Loreta Matheo
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Gina M Sequeira
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Division of Adolescent Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Miller
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kristin N Ray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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15
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Phillips AA, Sable CA, Atabaki SM, Waggaman C, Bost JE, Harahsheh AS. Ambulatory cardiology telemedicine: a large academic pediatric center experience. J Investig Med 2021; 69:1372-1376. [DOI: 10.1136/jim-2021-001800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We performed a retrospective study of cardiology telemedicine visits at a large academic pediatric center between 2016 and 2019 (pre COVID-19). Telemedicine patient visits were matched to data from their previous in-person visits, to evaluate any significant differences in total charge, insurance compensation, patient payment, percent reimbursement and zero reimbursement. Miles were measured between patient’s home and the address of previous visit. We found statistically significant differences in mean charges of telemedicine versus in-person visits (2019US$) (172.95 vs 218.27, p=0.0046), patient payment for telemedicine visits versus in-person visits (2019US$) (11.13 vs 62.83, p≤0.001), insurance reimbursement (2019US$) (65.18 vs 110.85, p≤0.001) and insurance reimbursement rate (43% vs 61%, p=0.0029). Rate of zero reimbursement was not different. Mean distance from cardiology clinic was 35 miles. No adverse outcomes were detected. This small retrospective study showed cost reduction and a decrease in travel time for families participating in telemedicine visits. Future work is needed to enhance compensation for telemedicine visits.
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16
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Shah AC, Badawy SM. Telemedicine in Pediatrics: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. JMIR Pediatr Parent 2021; 4:e22696. [PMID: 33556030 PMCID: PMC8078694 DOI: 10.2196/22696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telemedicine modalities, such as videoconferencing, are used by health care providers to remotely deliver health care to patients. Telemedicine use in pediatrics has increased in recent years. This has resulted in improved health care access, optimized disease management, progress in the monitoring of health conditions, and fewer exposures to patients with illnesses during pandemics (eg, the COVID-19 pandemic). OBJECTIVE We aimed to systematically evaluate the most recent evidence on the feasibility and accessibility of telemedicine services, patients' and care providers' satisfaction with these services, and treatment outcomes related to telemedicine service use among pediatric populations with different health conditions. METHODS Studies were obtained from the PubMed database on May 10, 2020. We followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. In this review, we included randomized controlled trials from the last 10 years that used a telemedicine approach as a study intervention or assessed telemedicine as a subspecialty of pediatric care. Titles and abstracts were independently screened based on the eligibility criteria. Afterward, full texts were retrieved and independently screened based on the eligibility criteria. A standardized form was used to extract the following data: publication title, first author's name, publication year, participants' characteristics, study design, the technology-based approach that was used, intervention characteristics, study goals, and study findings. RESULTS In total, 11 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. All studies were categorized as randomized controlled trials (8/11, 73%) or cluster randomized trials (3/11, 27%). The number of participants in each study ranged from 22 to 400. The health conditions that were assessed included obesity (3/11, 27%), asthma (2/11, 18%), mental health conditions (1/11, 9%), otitis media (1/11, 9%), skin conditions (1/11, 9%), type 1 diabetes (1/11, 9%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (1/11, 9%), and cystic fibrosis-related pancreatic insufficiency (1/11). The telemedicine approaches that were used included patient and doctor videoconferencing visits (5/11, 45%), smartphone-based interventions (3/11, 27%), telephone counseling (2/11, 18%), and telemedicine-based screening visits (1/11, 9%). The telemedicine interventions in all included studies resulted in outcomes that were comparable to or better than the outcomes of control groups. These outcomes were related to symptom management, quality of life, satisfaction, medication adherence, visit completion rates, and disease progression. CONCLUSIONS Although more research is needed, the evidence from this review suggests that telemedicine services for the general public and pediatric care are comparable to or better than in-person services. Patients, health care professionals, and caregivers may benefit from using both telemedicine services and traditional, in-person health care services. To maximize the potential of telemedicine, future research should focus on improving patients' access to care, increasing the cost-effectiveness of telemedicine services, and eliminating barriers to telemedicine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aashaka C Shah
- University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sherif M Badawy
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
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17
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Lanzarin CMDV, von Wangenheim A, Rejane-Heim TC, Nascimento FDS, Wagner HM, Abel HS, Júnior JDDS, Xikota JC. Teleconsultations at a Pediatrics Outpatient Service in COVID-19 Pandemic: First Results. Telemed J E Health 2021; 27:1311-1316. [PMID: 33600241 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2020.0471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Describe our experiences using teleconsultation approach to care for pediatric subspecialty follow-up patients during pandemic period. Methods: Synchronous teleconsultation solution was developed and implemented as a multiplatform/multimodality service, capable or running on desktop browsers and smartphones, and capable to handle chat, audio, and video. Term of consent was applied. Absolute number and percentage of patients assisted, as well as the form of consultation and the mean of attendance per patient were presented. Results: A telemedicine service was started using tools provided by The Santa Catarina State Integrated Telemedicine and Telehealth System offering real-time chat, through an online-based teleconsultation service. We assisted 75 patients in 109 consultations in 3 months, of which 69.7% were performed by chat. Mean of consultations per patient was 1.45. Conclusion: To our knowledge this is the first service in offering this modality of medicine for Brazilian public health care system. Patients and health care personnel reported satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aldo von Wangenheim
- Department for Informatics and Statistics, and Technologic Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Thaïs Cristina Rejane-Heim
- Pediatric Unit at University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Fernanda de Souza Nascimento
- Pediatric Unit at University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Harley Miguel Wagner
- Brazilian Institute for Digital Convergence, Technologic Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Heloisa Silva Abel
- Pediatric Unit at University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - José Djalma da Silva Júnior
- Brazilian Institute for Digital Convergence, Technologic Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - João Carlos Xikota
- Pediatric Unit at University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.,Pediatrics Department at University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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18
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Macy ML, Leslie LK, Turner A, Freed GL. Growth and changes in the pediatric medical subspecialty workforce pipeline. Pediatr Res 2021; 89:1297-1303. [PMID: 33328583 PMCID: PMC7738773 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-01311-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To inform discussions of pediatric subspecialty workforce adequacy and characterize its pipeline, we examined trends in first-year fellows in the 14 American Board of Pediatrics (ABP)-certified pediatric medical subspecialties, 2001-2018. METHODS Data were obtained from the ABP Certification Management System. We determined, within each subspecialty, the annual number of first-year fellows. We assessed for changes in the population using variables available throughout the study period (gender, medical school location, program region, and program size). We fit linear trendlines and calculated χ2 statistics. RESULTS The number of first-year pediatric medical subspecialty fellows increased from 751 in 2001 to 1445 in 2018. Fields with the growth of 3 or more fellows per year were Cardiology, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Gastroenterology, Neonatology, and Hematology Oncology (P value <0.05 for all). The number of fellows entering Adolescent Medicine, Child Abuse, Infectious Disease, and Nephrology increased at a rate of 0.5 fellows or fewer per year. Female American Medical Graduates represented the largest and growing proportions of several subspecialties. Distribution of programs by region and size were relatively consistent over time, but varied across subspecialties. CONCLUSIONS The number of pediatricians entering medical subspecialty fellowship training is uneven and patterns of growth differ between subspecialties. IMPACT The number of individuals entering fellowship training has increased between 2001 and 2018. Growth in the number of first-year fellows is uneven. Fields with the greatest growth: Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, and Neonatology. Fields with limited growth: Adolescent Medicine, Child Abuse, Infectious Disease, and Nephrology. Concerns about the pediatric medical subspecialty workforce are not explained by the number of individuals entering the fellowship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L. Macy
- Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, Ann Arbor, MI USA ,grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA ,grid.413808.60000 0004 0388 2248Present Address: Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Laurel K. Leslie
- American Board of Pediatrics, Chapel Hill, NC USA ,grid.67033.310000 0000 8934 4045Tufts Medical Center/School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Adam Turner
- American Board of Pediatrics, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Gary L. Freed
- Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, Ann Arbor, MI USA ,grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of PediatricsDivision of General Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA ,grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
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19
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Abstract
Pediatric practice increasingly involves providing care for children with medical complexity. Telehealth offers a strategy for providers and health care systems to improve care for these patients and their families. However, lack of awareness related to the unintended negative consequences of telehealth on vulnerable populations--coupled with failure to intentional design best practices for telehealth initiatives--implies that these novel technologies may worsen health disparities in the long run. This article reviews the positive and negative implications of telehealth. In addition, to achieve optimal implementation of telehealth, it discusses 10 considerations to promote optimal care of children using these technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli M Cahan
- Clinical Excellence Research Center, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA.
| | | | - Nirav R Shah
- Clinical Excellence Research Center, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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20
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Badawy SM, Radovic A. Digital Approaches to Remote Pediatric Health Care Delivery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Existing Evidence and a Call for Further Research. JMIR Pediatr Parent 2020; 3:e20049. [PMID: 32540841 PMCID: PMC7318926 DOI: 10.2196/20049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The global spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak poses a public health threat and has affected people worldwide in various unprecedented ways, both personally and professionally. There is no question that the current global COVID-19 crisis, now more than ever, is underscoring the importance of leveraging digital approaches to optimize pediatric health care delivery in the era of this pandemic. In this perspective piece, we highlight some of the available digital approaches that have been and can continue to be used to streamline remote pediatric patient care in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to telemedicine. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting is currently publishing a COVID-19 special theme issue in which investigators can share their interim and final research data related to digital approaches to remote pediatric health care delivery in different settings. The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly transformed health care systems worldwide, with significant variations and innovations in adaptation. There has been rapid expansion of the leveraging and optimization of digital approaches to health care delivery, particularly integrated telemedicine and virtual health. Digital approaches have played and will play major roles as invaluable and reliable resources to overcome restrictions and challenges imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and to increase access to effective, accessible, and consumer-friendly care for more patients and families. However, a number of challenges remain to be addressed, and further research is needed. Optimizing digital approaches to health care delivery and integrating them into the public health response will be an ongoing process during the current COVID-19 outbreak and during other possible future pandemics. Regulatory changes are essential to support the safe and wide adoption of these approaches. Involving all relevant stakeholders in addressing current and future challenges as well as logistical, technological, and financial barriers will be key for success. Future studies should consider evaluating the following research areas related to telemedicine and other digital approaches: cost-effectiveness and return on investment; impact on quality of care; balance in use and number of visits needed for the management of both acute illness and chronic health conditions; system readiness for further adoption in other settings, such as inpatient services, subspecialist consultations, and rural areas; ongoing user-centered evaluations, with feedback from patients, families, and health care providers; strategies to optimize health equity and address disparities in access to care related to race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, immigration status, and rural communities; privacy and security concerns for protected health information with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-secured programs; confidentiality issues for some specific populations, especially adolescents and those in need of mental health services; early detection of exposure to violence and child neglect; and integration of training into undergraduate and graduate medical education and subspecialty fellowships. Addressing these research areas is essential to understanding the benefits, sustainability, safety, and optimization strategies of telemedicine and other digital approaches as key parts of modern health care delivery. These efforts will inform long-term adoption of these approaches with expanded dissemination and implementation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherif M Badawy
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States.,Division of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ana Radovic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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