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DeGuzman PB, Lyons GR, Azar FN, Kimble A, Huang G, Rheuban K, Gray SH. Impact of Telemedicine on Access to Care for Rural Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth. J Pediatr 2024; 267:113911. [PMID: 38218369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.113911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the impact of telemedicine on access to gender-affirming care for rural transgender and gender diverse youth. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective analysis of data drawn from the electronic medical records of a clinic that provides approximately 10 000 adolescent and young adult visits per year and serves patients seeking gender health care. The no-show rate was examined as a proxy for access to care due to anticipated challenges with recruiting a representative sample of a historically marginalized population. Logistic regression with generalized estimating equations was conducted to model the association between the odds of a no-show visit and covariates of interest. RESULTS Telemedicine visits, rural home address, gender health visits, longer travel time, and being younger than 18 years old were associated with lower odds of a no-show in univariate models (n = 17 928 visits). In the adjusted model, the OR of no-shows for gender health visits was 0.56 (95% CI 0.42-0.74), adjusting for rurality, telemedicine, age (< or >18 years), and travel time to the clinic. CONCLUSIONS In this study, telemedicine was associated with reduced no-shows overall, and especially for rural, transgender and gender diverse youth, and patients who hold both identities. Although the no-show rate does not fully capture barriers to access, these findings provide insight into how this vulnerable population may benefit from expanded access to telemedicine for rural individuals whose communities may lack providers with the skills to serve this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela B DeGuzman
- Department of Family, Community, and Mental Health Systems, University of Virginia School of Nursing, Charlottesville, VA.
| | - Genevieve R Lyons
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Francesca N Azar
- Department of Family, Community, and Mental Health Systems, University of Virginia School of Nursing, Charlottesville, VA
| | - April Kimble
- Teen and Adolescent Health Center, UVA Health, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Guoping Huang
- Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Karen Rheuban
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Susan H Gray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
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Chike-Harris KE, Miller S, Nichols M, McElligott J, Kelechi T. The Management of Pediatric Asthma Using Telehealth: An Integrative Review. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:609-621. [PMID: 37624652 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0109] [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] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Asthma is one of the most chronic noncommunicable diseases of childhood, affecting 1 in 12 children in the United States. The use of telemedicine for the management of pediatric asthma has shown improved health outcomes; however, it is important to understand what can impact its acceptance. The purpose of this review was to identify the facilitators and barriers to pediatric asthma management, as viewed by stakeholders. Methods: An electronic literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Complete. Articles included in the review contained perceptions of the use of telemedicine for the management of pediatric asthma, as viewed by stakeholders. The socioecological model was used as the theoretical framework to extract data based on its five levels. Results: After reviewing full texts of 143 articles, 118 were excluded, leaving 25 articles included in this review. A majority of included articles focused on mobile health (m-Health) studies for the management of pediatric asthma, with the remaining articles studying synchronous telemedicine or a combination of modalities. Common themes were identified; however, most were focused on the use of m-Health and few studies contained the viewpoints of the caregiver, children, or providers regarding synchronous telemedicine. Discussion: This integrative review identified a number of facilitators and barriers for the management of asthma using telemedicine. However, more qualitative studies are needed to evaluate the perceptions of caregivers, patients, and primary providers regarding synchronous telehealth. It was also recognized that telemedicine may increase instead of reduce health care disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Miller
- College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Michelle Nichols
- College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - James McElligott
- Center for Telehealth Medical, University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Teresa Kelechi
- College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Lee KC, Duarte KL, Lasswell E, Clark AL, Bhakta SG, Harlé KM. Comparison of Delivery of Care Before and During COVID-19 Within an Academic Outpatient Psychiatry Practice. Telemed J E Health 2023; 29:1801-1809. [PMID: 37074079 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged outpatient mental health clinics. This article compares care delivery and patient characteristics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in outpatient mental health clinics within an academic health system. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients who received outpatient psychiatric services at two clinics (A and B). The investigators compared care delivery with patients with mental health conditions prepandemic (January 1-December 31, 2019) and midpandemic (January 1-December 31, 2020) periods. Care delivery was defined as the number and type of new and return visits (telehealth and face-to-face visits), patients with recorded measurement-based care (MBC) outcomes, and communication capability between patients and providers. Results: During the prepandemic period, 6,984 patients were seen in Clinics A and B, resulting in 57,629 visits. In the midpandemic period, 7,110 patients were served, resulting in 61,766 total visits. Medication management visits increased from 2019 to 2020; number of visits with documented outcome measures increased by 90% in Clinic A and 15% in Clinic B. The number of MyChart messages per patient increased more than twofold during the midpandemic period. The number of new visits with primary diagnosis of anxiety disorders increased in CY2020 and the number of visits with primary diagnosis of major depressive/mood disorders decreased in CY2020. Payor mix did not vary between the two periods although there was variability between payor mix at the two primary clinic locations. Discussion: The study suggests that there was no detrimental impact on access to care between the prepandemic and midpandemic periods within the health system. Mental health visits while pivoting to telehealth increased during the midpandemic period. Transition to telepsychiatry improved the ability to administer and document MBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly C Lee
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kristen L Duarte
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Eve Lasswell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ashley L Clark
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Savita G Bhakta
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Katia M Harlé
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
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Li B, Gillmeyer KR, Molloy-Paolillo B, Vimalananda VG, Elwy AR, Wiener RS, Rinne ST. Scoping Review of Pulmonary Telemedicine Consults: Current Knowledge and Research Gaps. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2023; 20:456-465. [PMID: 36490386 PMCID: PMC9993154 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202205-404oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Telemedicine consults, including video consults, telephone consults, electronic consults, and virtual conferences, may be particularly valuable in the management of chronic pulmonary diseases, but there is limited guidance on best practices for pulmonary telemedicine consults. Objectives: This scoping review aims to identify, characterize, and analyze gaps in the published literature on telemedicine consults health providers use to manage patients with chronic pulmonary diseases. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from database origin through July 10, 2021. We included manuscripts describing applications of telemedicine consults for patients with chronic pulmonary diseases (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, and interstitial lung disease). We restricted our review to full-length articles published in English about provider-led (as opposed to nurse-led) telemedicine consults. Results: Our search yielded 3,118 unique articles; 27 articles met the inclusion criteria. All telemedicine consult modalities and chronic pulmonary conditions were well represented in the review except for pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease, which were represented by one and no articles, respectively. Most articles described a small, single-center, observational study that focused on the acceptability, feasibility, use, and/or clinical effectiveness of the telemedicine consult. Few studies had objectively measured clinical outcomes or included a comparator group, and none compared telemedicine consult modalities against one another. Conclusions: Our scoping review identified limited literature describing pulmonary telemedicine consults and highlighted several gaps in the literature that warrant increased attention. Providers treating chronic pulmonary diseases are left with limited guidance on best practices for telemedicine consults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Brianne Molloy-Paolillo
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts
| | - Varsha G. Vimalananda
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition & Weight Management, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts
| | - A. Rani Elwy
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; and
| | - Renda Soylemez Wiener
- The Pulmonary Center, and
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Seppo T. Rinne
- The Pulmonary Center, and
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts
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Enneking B, Ryan T, Tang Q, James C, Rouse M, Curtin M, Keehn RM. Acceptability and Access Metrics for Telehealth Consultation of Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Disabilities During COVID-19. J Pediatr Health Care 2023; 37:200-207. [PMID: 36175312 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2022.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We report caregiver agreement to attend telehealth neurodevelopmental consultation during COVID-19, demographic differences in agreement, reasons families declined, and clinical access metrics before and during COVID-19. METHOD Data were gathered from telehealth referrals and consultations from April to July 2020. Schedulers documented agreement status and reasons for the decline. Wait time, lag time, and missed appointment rates were calculated to measure access. RESULTS Ninety-one percent agreed to attend telehealth consultation; 55% of those who declined preferred in-person services. There were no demographic differences between those who accepted, declined, or did not respond. The median wait time from referral to appointment was 60 days. Missed appointment rates were consistent with prepandemic rates. DISCUSSION Findings support literature suggesting patients are agreeable to telehealth. They diverged from evidence suggesting telehealth reduces missed appointments. Overall, results indicate telehealth is an acceptable alternative; however, further telehealth innovation is needed to address existing disparities.
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Rangachari P, Parvez I, LaFontaine AA, Mejias C, Thawer F, Chen J, Pathak N, Mehta R. Effect of Disease Severity, Age of Child, and Clinic No-Shows on Unscheduled Healthcare Use for Childhood Asthma at an Academic Medical Center. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1508. [PMID: 36674266 PMCID: PMC9864702 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the influence of various individual demographic and risk factors on the use of unscheduled healthcare (emergency and inpatient visits) among pediatric outpatients with asthma over three retrospective timeframes (12, 18, and 24 months) at an academic health center. Out of a total of 410 children who visited an academic medical center for asthma outpatient care between 2019 and 2020, 105 (26%) were users of unscheduled healthcare for childhood asthma over the prior 12 months, 131 (32%) over the prior 18 months, and 147 (36%) over the prior 24 months. multiple logistic regression (MLR) analysis of the effect of individual risk factors revealed that asthma severity, age of child, and clinic no-shows were statistically significant predictors of unscheduled healthcare use for childhood asthma. Children with higher levels of asthma severity were significantly more likely to use unscheduled healthcare (compared to children with lower levels of asthma severity) across all three timeframes. Likewise, children with three to four clinic no-shows were significantly more likely to use unscheduled healthcare compared to children with zero clinic no-shows in the short term (12 and 18 months). In contrast, older children were significantly less likely to use unscheduled healthcare use compared to younger children in the longer term (24 months). By virtue of its scope and design, this study provides a foundation for addressing a need identified in the literature for short- and long-term strategies for improving supported self-management and reducing unscheduled healthcare use for childhood asthma at the patient, provider, and organizational levels, e.g., (1) implementing telehealth services for asthma outpatient care to reduce clinic no-shows across all levels of asthma severity in the short term; (2) developing a provider-patient partnership to enable patient-centered asthma control among younger children with higher asthma severity in the long term; and (3) identifying hospital-community linkages to address social risk factors influencing clinic no-shows and unscheduled healthcare use among younger children with higher asthma severity in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavani Rangachari
- Department of Population Health & Leadership, School of Health Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Imran Parvez
- Division of Biostatistics and Data Science, Department of Population Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | | | | | - Fahim Thawer
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Jie Chen
- Division of Biostatistics and Data Science, Department of Population Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Niharika Pathak
- Department of Population Health & Leadership, School of Health Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Renuka Mehta
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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Bilaver LA, Galic I, Zaslavsky J, Anderson B, Catlin PA, Gupta RS. Achieving Racial Representation in Food Allergy Research: A Modified Delphi Study. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2023; 11:281-291. [PMID: 36241153 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The overrepresentation of White participants in food allergy research contributes to the development of research questions and interventions not driven by those disproportionately affected by the condition. This ultimately limits the generalizability of research findings and affects the development of knowledge about food allergy and food allergy management. OBJECTIVE To develop recommendations to combat inequitable research paradigms and increase participation of racially underrepresented populations in food allergy research. METHODS This study used a modified consensus development method, known as a Delphi method, to assemble the expertise of food allergy clinicians, advocacy leaders, community-engaged researchers, and patients. RESULTS Findings resulted in 18 recommendations within four domains: community partnership, intentional engagement and messaging, recruitment activities, and dissemination. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study provide food allergy researchers with specific recommendations for examining their efforts more critically toward recruiting and engaging with racially underrepresented populations, effectively transitioning from a research-on to a research-with relationship with individuals and families living with food allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy A Bilaver
- Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill.
| | - Isabel Galic
- Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill
| | - Justin Zaslavsky
- Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill
| | | | - Perry A Catlin
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis
| | - Ruchi S Gupta
- Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill; Department of General Academic Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
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No-Show Rates for Telemedicine Versus In-Person Appointments During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Medicaid Populations. J Ambul Care Manage 2022; 45:332-340. [PMID: 36006390 DOI: 10.1097/jac.0000000000000432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess no-show rates among in-person and telemedicine visits during the COVID-19 pandemic among Medicaid members. We analyzed data from an urban safety net hospital in Denver, Colorado. Using multivariable binomial regression models, we estimated differences in probability of no shows by patient characteristics and assessed for effect modification by telemedicine use. Overall, the no-show rate was 20.5% with increased probability of no show among Hispanic (2.3%) and non-Hispanic, Black (7.4%) patients compared with their non-Hispanic, White counterparts. Modification by telemedicine was observed, decreasing no-show rates among both groups (P < .0001). Similar patterns were observed among medically complex patients. Audio-only telemedicine significantly impacted no-show rates within certain populations.
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Justvig SP, Haynes L, Karpowicz K, Unsworth F, Petrosino S, Peltz A, Jones BL, Hickingbotham M, Cox J, Wu AC, Holder-Niles FF. The Role of Social Determinants of Health in the Use of Telemedicine for Asthma in Children. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2022; 10:2543-2549. [PMID: 35863670 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is the most common chronic health condition among children in the United States. The adverse impacts of social determinants of health often manifest in unmet health-related social needs, potentially contributing to worse asthma outcomes. With the onset and rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the identification of asthma as a potential risk factor for more severe disease, our asthma program quickly pivoted to a remote-access telemedicine asthma population management platform to best meet the needs of our most at-risk patients. Our practice provides care to a large proportion of Black and Latino/a/e children in urban areas insured by the State Medicaid Program and impacted by unmet social needs. As we pivoted to telemedicine, we consistently reached a greater number of patients and families than prepandemic and observed decreased emergency department visits and hospitalizations. About 1 in 5 families received resource touch points spanning categories of transportation, food and supplies, clothing, utilities, and rent. Overall, families reported positive experiences with telemedicine, including the ability to connect remotely with our social work and resource teams. Telemedicine may be an effective strategy for addressing both the medical and the social needs of children with asthma at risk for worse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah P Justvig
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Linda Haynes
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Kristin Karpowicz
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Fiona Unsworth
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Sheila Petrosino
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Alon Peltz
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Mass
| | - Bridgette L Jones
- Children's Mercy Hospital, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Mo
| | - Madison Hickingbotham
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Mass
| | - Joanne Cox
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Ann Chen Wu
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Mass.
| | - Faye F Holder-Niles
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
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Gilkey MB, Kong WY, Kennedy KL, Heisler-MacKinnon J, Faugno E, Gwinn B, Wu AC, Loughlin CE, Galbraith AA. Leveraging Telemedicine to Reduce the Financial Burden of Asthma Care. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2022; 10:2536-2542. [PMID: 35644331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
One of the most compelling arguments for telemedicine is its potential to increase health care access by making care more affordable for patients and families, including those affected by asthma. This goal is critically important in the United States, where the high cost of asthma care is associated with nonadherence to preventive care regimens and suboptimal health outcomes. In this clinical commentary review, we draw from the literature and our own research to identify opportunities for and challenges to leveraging telemedicine to reduce the financial burden of asthma care. Our interviews with 42 families affected by asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that under favorable circumstances, telemedicine can meaningfully reduce costs, including those related to transportation and missed work, while offering high-quality care. However, families also identified ways in which telemedicine can increase costs. For example, some reported reduced access to support services and material resources such as medication samples, which they relied on to manage costs. In this way, our findings underscore the need for careful care coordination and communication in telemedicine. We conclude by discussing the 4Rs, a structured communication approach designed to support cost conversations, increase care coordination, and help families reduce asthma care cost burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa B Gilkey
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
| | - Wei Yi Kong
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Kathryn L Kennedy
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | - Elena Faugno
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Barbara Gwinn
- NC Children's Allergy and Asthma Center, UNC Health, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Ann Chen Wu
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Ceila E Loughlin
- NC Children's Allergy and Asthma Center, UNC Health, Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Alison A Galbraith
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
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The Role of Access and Cost-Effectiveness in Managing Asthma: A Systematic Review. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY: IN PRACTICE 2022; 10:2109-2116. [PMID: 35525532 PMCID: PMC9353043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Inconsistent and unequal access to medical care is an issue that predates the COVID19 pandemic, which only worsened the problem. Limited access to care from asthma specialists and other specialists treating comorbid diseases may adversely affect asthma. Objective The purpose of this review is to identify health disparities associated with access to care for asthma, and cost-effectiveness of therapies and interventions addressing this health disparity. Methods A narrative systematic review was undertaken using MeSH searches of English language articles published in CINAHL, Scopus, or PubMed. Results A total of 725 articles were identified. Barriers recognized from the literature included access to diagnostic spirometry, access to specialists, medication formulary restrictions, and issues leading to medical nonadherence. Telemedicine, school-based health care interventions, digital applications, and non–office-based digital spirometry could be used to address these gaps in access to asthma care while potentially being cost-effective. Conclusion With the widespread adoption of telemedicine because of the pandemic, and adoption of other mobile services, we now have potential tools that can increase access to asthma care, which can help address this health care inequity. Evidence is limited, but favorable, that some of these tools may be cost-effective.
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12
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Casemiro LKDDS, Lopes-Júnior LC, Jardim FA, Sulino MC, de Lima RAG. Telehealth in outpatient care for children and adolescents with chronic conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review protocol. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269821. [PMID: 35687557 PMCID: PMC9187091 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Outpatient care for children and adolescents with chronic conditions needs to be continuous and programmed, encompassing comprehensive care, with periodically scheduled consultations, exams, and procedures, to promote quality of life and reduce mortality. In the context of the new coronavirus pandemic, however, outpatient care for children and adolescents with chronic conditions, in person, was hampered in favor of social isolation, a necessary sanitary measure to reduce and prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019. In response to this need, studies suggest telehealth in pediatrics as a fertile and expanding field especially in times of pandemics. Here, we aimed to map the evidence related to telehealth in outpatient care for children and adolescents with chronic conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, to identify which strategies were implemented and their impacts on the continuity of care. Methods A scoping review protocol is reported and guided by the Scoping Reviews Manual of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The search for evidence will cover the following databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Libary; Embase; Web of Science; Scopus; Cinahl and PsycINFO, plus additional sources, such as The British Library, Google Scholar, and Preprints [medRXiv]. No date or language restrictions will be employed in this scoping review. Two independent researchers will conduct the search strategy, study selection, data charting, and data synthesis. Results The findings will be presented through tables, charts, narrative summaries, and assessed based on the type of data charted as well as outcomes. Additionally, the meaning of these findings will be considered as they relate to the guiding question, the characterization and measurement of the impact of different telehealth modalities used in outpatient care for children and adolescents with chronic conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the implications for practice and further research. Discussion To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first scoping review to look specifically at the telehealth modalities to be used in outpatient care for children and adolescents with chronic conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect that our results will be of interest to practitioners as well as researchers concerned with this particular emerging issue in the pandemic context. Also, the plans for the dissemination of this study comprise peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations. trial registration Open Science Framework Registration:osf.io/5pqgu.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fabrine Aguilar Jardim
- University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariane Caetano Sulino
- University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Kaur M, Eddy EZ, Tiwari D. Exploring Practice Patterns of Pediatric Telerehabilitation During COVID-19: A Survey Study. Telemed J E Health 2022; 28:1505-1516. [PMID: 35263191 PMCID: PMC9618374 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2021.0506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective: Sudden transition to telerehabilitation during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was challenging for pediatric therapists, including physical therapists and occupational therapists, due to lack of prior experience and knowledge. The primary goal of the current study was to survey the pediatric therapists regarding the practice trends and specific challenges/strengths of delivering telerehabilitation during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: An electronic survey was developed by the research term and validated through cognitive interviews with three pediatric therapists. A total of 107 therapists completed the survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the trends for the survey questions. Results: The majority of therapists (92.5%) reported no prior experience with telerehabilitation. When comparing telerehabilitation with standard-of-care, the therapists reported similar session durations and frequencies, but greater caregiver-initiated cancellations of telerehabilitation sessions. Furthermore, a greater percentage of therapists modified the intervention activities compared with assessments, which impacted therapists' perceptions about quality of telerehabilitation as a greater percentage of therapists expressed confidence in treating children compared with assessing children virtually. One of the commonly reported telerehabilitation challenges was reduced virtual engagement of children, and strength was better assessment of home environment. Lastly, a greater percentage of therapists relied on consultations and fewer therapists used empirical evidence to guide their delivery of virtual care. Conclusions: Telerehabilitation is a cost-effective health care model that offers remote accessibility and flexible scheduling. However, several limitations in the current pediatric telerehabilitation model, including lack of teleassessments and empirical evidence, could limit post-COVID use of telerehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maninderjit Kaur
- Department of Physical Therapy, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily Z Eddy
- Department of Occupational Therapy, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Devashish Tiwari
- Department of Physical Therapy, Simmons University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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