Barriers and Facilitators for Implementing Paediatric Telemedicine: Rapid Review of User Perspectives

Developing a Tailored eHealth Self-Management Intervention for Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease in China: Intervention Mapping Approach

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health concern. Adequate self-management skills are vital to reduce CKD burden, optimize patient health outcomes, and control health care expenditures. Using eHealth to support CKD self-management has the potential to promote healthy behaviors and improve health outcomes of patients with CKD. However, knowledge of the implementation of such interventions in general, and in China specifically, is still limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to develop a tailored eHealth self-management intervention for patients with CKD in China based on the Dutch Medical Dashboard (MD) eHealth self-management intervention.

METHODS

We used an intervention mapping approach. In phase 1, a systematic review and 2 qualitative studies were conducted to examine the needs, beliefs, and perceptions of patients with CKD and health care professionals regarding CKD self-management and eHealth interventions. Afterward, key factors gathered from the aforementioned studies were categorized following the 5 domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). In phase 2, we specified program outcomes, performance objectives, determinants, theory-based methods, and practical strategies. Knowledge obtained from previous results was combined to complement core components of the MD self-management intervention and adapt them for Chinese patients with CKD. Additionally, the CFIR-Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change Matching Tool was pragmatically used to generate a list of potential implementation strategies to address the key factors influencing the implementation of eHealth CKD self-management interventions, and implementation strategies were discussed and finalized with the intervention monitoring group.

RESULTS

An overview of the CFIR domains showed the essential factors influencing the implementation of eHealth CKD self-management interventions in Chinese settings, including "knowledge and beliefs" in the domain "individual characteristics," "quality and advantage of eHealth intervention" in the domain "intervention characteristics," "compatibility" in the domain "inner setting," and "cultural context" in the domain "outer setting." To ensure the effectiveness of the Dutch MD-based self-management intervention, we did not change the core self-management intervention components of MD that underlie its effectiveness, such as self-monitoring. We identified surface-level cultural adaptations involving customizing intervention content, messages, and approaches to the observable cultural characteristics of the local population to enhance the intervention's appeal, receptivity, and feasibility, such as providing video or voice call options to support interactions with health care professionals. Furthermore, the adapted modules such as Knowledge Center and My Self-Monitoring were developed in a mobile health app.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study resulted in the delivery of a culturally tailored, standardized eHealth self-management intervention for patients with CKD in China that has the potential to optimize patients' self-management skills and improve health status and quality of life. Moreover, our study's research approach and results can inform future research on the tailoring and translation of evidence-based, eHealth self-management interventions to various contexts.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04212923; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04212923.

Impact of the COVID-19 era on preventative primary care for children 0-5 years old: a scoping review protocol

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread disruptions to primary healthcare delivery and shifts to virtual care. Reduced in-person paediatric primary care visit rates have been reported. However, the extent to which access to primary preventative care has been impacted remains unclear. The objective of this scoping review is to characterise the utilisation of preventative primary care and its association with child development for children ages 0-5 years old during the COVID-19 era. In addition, we will determine if specific groups of children are at greater risk for reduced access to care.

METHODS

A systematic search will be conducted for studies published between March 11, 2020, and October 2023 in the following databases: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Cochrane Library (CENTRAL and CDSR), Web of Science, and CINAHL (EBSCOhost). This scoping review will follow the methodological framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley and updated by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Studies related to primary preventative care of children aged 0-5 years old conducted in English and in high-income countries will be screened. Studies published before March 11, 2020, in acute care and low-middle-income settings will be excluded. Results will be summarised for appointments attended, delayed, and missed. In addition, we will summarise findings on the impact of COVID-19 on child development. Findings will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.

DISCUSSION

Further investigation is required to better understand the relationship between attendance of preventative primary care for children and its effects on child development. The findings obtained from this review will offer essential context to guide policy-making and healthcare service planning for the period following the pandemic.

Agreement of synchronous remote and in-person application of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale: Cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Using standardized scales to assess motor development via telemedicine can increase access for low-income populations. Our aim was to verify the agreement and feasibility between remotely and synchronously applying the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the in-person format.

METHODS

This was a concordance study, with 77 typical infants aged 4-18 months (mean = 13 months). The AIMS was applied remote via video calls and face-to-face. We applied a questionnaire to caregivers to verify feasibility.

RESULTS

There was a high level of agreement between the remote and in-person assessments, with intraclass correlation coefficients above 0.98 and low standard error measure values (<1 item for each posture, <2 items for the total raw score, and =5% for the normative score). The smallest detectable change was between 1.67 and 2.45 for each posture, 3 for the total raw score, and 6% for the normative score. The Bland-Altman analysis showed low bias with the mean difference close to zero (<0.80) and low error with little dispersion of the difference points around the mean. Caregivers' perspectives on the synchronous remote assessment were positive, with good quality, clear information during the assessment, and comfort with the method.

DISCUSSION

The synchronous remote application of the AIMS may be an alternative for families without access to in-person services that assess motor development.

Facilitators and barriers to the transition from outpatient clinic visits to home-based check-ups for children being treated with growth hormone: a mixed-methods study

Although the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic accelerated the adoption and expansion of telemedicine worldwide, little is known about the transition to home-based care for children. This study aims to investigate the facilitators and barriers to the transition from outpatient clinic visits to home-based check-ups (HBCU), for children being treated with growth hormone. A mixed-methods study was performed at Amalia Children's Hospital (Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen), consisting of questionnaires and semi-structured and focus group interviews. For the quantitative part, the Measurement Instrument for Determinants of Innovation (MIDI) was utilised to investigate the facilitators and barriers for the 81 participants regarding the transition to HBCU. The MIDI questionnaire is comprised of four domains: the innovation-, user-, organisation-, and the socio-political scale. Descriptive statistics were performed for analysing the questionnaires. For the qualitative part, interviews with 10 participants derived from the questionnaire and the two focus group interviews were conducted, to gain more in-depth information about the research topic, until data saturation was reached. The interviews were analysed by using the reflective thematic approach, starting with deductive coding and followed by inductive coding. Several facilitators were recognised in our study: procedural clarity, self-efficacy, convenience, patient-centred care, increased accuracy in height measurements, social support, client/patient satisfaction/cooperation, patient-centred care, the flexibility and adaptivity of HBCU, physical start-up period of HBCU, and a potential decrease in healthcare costs. However, several barriers were also noted in our study: poor compatibility with current practice, lack of consultation within the team, feeling of being less controlled by physicians, unsettledness of the organisation, an increased workload for the staff, and insufficient information communication technology (ICT) facilities.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that HBCU have considerable benefits for both patients and healthcare professionals, from the standpoint of innovation, user, and socio-political points of view. The identified facilitators and barriers to HBCU should be taken into account when further steps of implementing HBCU are considered.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• The Corona-Virus-Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an immense impact on health care worldwide. A substantial amount of the outpatient clinic visits for children treated with growth hormone was, as a result of the pandemic, transferred to online consultation. Transitioning paediatric growth hormone treatment to the home setting may be favorable for children and their parents/caregivers) as well for healthcare professionals. • Insights regarding facilitators and barriers is vital for the successful implementation and adoption of home-care technologies.

WHAT IS NEW

• To our knowledge, we are first to report on and explicit the facilitators and barriers of the transition to home-based check-ups, via online consultation for children being treated with growth hormone. • Both children and healthcare professionals reported major facilitators and some minor barriers to the transition to home-based check-ups, illustrating their potential value. These facilitators and barriers should be considered while working towards implementation of home-based check-ups.

The Management of Pediatric Asthma Using Telehealth: An Integrative Review

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.

The psychometric properties and feasibility of the Alberta infant motor scale used in telehealth: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Telehealth can be a viable option for improving equitable access to early motor assessment for financially vulnerable individuals.

AIM

This review aimed to identify the psychometric properties of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) when applied via telehealth and assess its feasibility.

METHODS

Papers were systematically retrieved from electronic databases until October 4, 2023. We included studies that assessed the motor development of infants using the AIMS through telehealth.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies, encompassing 897 infants (449 male and 396 female), were included in this review. Among them, 805 were typical infants and 92 were at risk of motor delay. The age range of participants spanned from 4.9 weeks to 20 months. The studies found good concurrent validity between telehealth and in-person assessments (ICC > 0.98, SEM < 1.6, mean difference = 0.5) and good to excellent reliability (ICC > 0.80) using home videos recorded by parents or video calls with researchers. Telehealth was perceived as feasible by parents, who expressed high satisfaction, and the quality of images and assessments met commendable standards.

CONCLUSION

Considering the limited number of studies that have assessed infants with neuromotor disorders, this scale has the potential for telehealth application in evaluating typical infants.

Integration of e-Health Strategies for Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Pediatric Weight Management Programs

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a renewed urgency to address the obesity pandemic and accelerated the use of technology to treat pediatric obesity. Yet, there are significant incongruities between the existing literature on technology for obesity management and the current health care system that may lead to suboptimal outcomes and increased costs. This study reviewed the types of e-health strategies currently in use, highlighted inconsistencies and overlap in terminology, and identified future research directions in e-health for childhood obesity, including gaps in implementation science. Methods: This narrative literature review synthesized seminal articles from the literature, as well as recent articles, using PubMed and Google Scholar that focused on the use of technology in treating pediatric obesity. This inclusive strategy was intended to elucidate the heterogeneity in how different disciplines are using digital health terminology in pediatric obesity research. Results: Both the prevalence of e-health interventions and its associated terminology are increasing in the peer-reviewed literature, especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, their definitions and usage are unstandardized, leading to a lack of cohesion in the research and between disciplines. There is a gap in implementation science outcomes, including reimbursement, that may significantly impact external validity and uptake. Conclusion: A more systematic and precise approach to researching e-health that can assess specific technologies and combinations of technologies, their short-term and long-term effect sizes, and feasibility can produce the necessary data that may lead to reimbursement policies and, ultimately, improved pediatric weight management outcomes.

Ethical considerations in using sensors to remotely assess pediatric health behaviors

Sensors, including accelerometer-based and electronic adherence monitoring devices, have transformed health data collection. Sensors allow for unobtrusive, real-time sampling of health behaviors that relate to psychological health, including sleep, physical activity, and medication-taking. These technical strengths have captured scholarly attention, with far less discussion about the level of human touch involved in implementing sensors. Researchers face several subjective decision points when collecting health data via sensors, with these decisions posing ethical concerns for users and the public at large. Using examples from pediatric sleep, physical activity, and medication adherence research, we pose critical ethical questions, practical dilemmas, and guidance for implementing health-based sensors. We focus on youth given that they are often deemed the ideal population for digital health approaches but have unique technology-related vulnerabilities and preferences. Ethical considerations are organized according to Belmont principles of respect for persons (e.g., when sensor-based data are valued above the subjective lived experiences of youth and their families), beneficence (e.g., with sensor data management and sharing), and justice (e.g., with sensor access and acceptability among minoritized pediatric populations). Recommendations include the need to increase transparency about the extent of subjective decision making with sensor data management. Without greater attention to the human factors involved in sensor research, ethical risks could outweigh the scientific promise of sensors, thereby negating their potential role in improving child health and care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

eHealth usage among parents to premature or surgically treated neonates: associations with eHealth literacy, healthcare satisfaction or satisfaction with an eHealth device

BACKGROUND

A specific eHealth device, a surf tablet, was developed for bridging between advanced in-hospital care and children's homes. Since little is known about determinators for parental eHealth usage, the study's aim was to explore if parents' usage of the device was associated with their eHealth literacy, or their satisfaction with their child's healthcare or with the specific surf tablet.

METHODS

In this explorative usage and questionnaire study, parents to neonates who were discharged home after advanced in-hospital care were included. Their surf tablet usage at maximum 30 days after discharge was reported as frequency (%) of active days (usage days/days having the device) and median number of tablet activities (chat and photo) per usage day. eHealth literacy (eHealth Literacy Questionnaire; eHLQ), healthcare satisfaction (PedsQL Healthcare Satisfaction Generic Module), and satisfaction with the surf tablet were explored regarding tablet usage. Statistics were described in median (range) and (%) using non-parametric and regression models (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Parents to 32 children (11 premature, 21 operated) were included. Active days with eHealth communication using the device was 39% (9.0/29.5), with 2.0 (1.0-4.2) usage occasions per active day. Activity on the tablet was higher among parents reporting to be very satisfied or satisfied with the device (n = 25) compared with neutral/dissatisfied parents (n = 7) (2.8 vs. 2.2 vs. 1.6 activities) (p = 0.030), while their frequency of active days did not differ (31.6% vs. 38.3% vs. 40%) (p = 0.963). A higher eHealth literacy was not associated with frequency of active days (0.926 (0.652-1.317); p = 0.659) or number of eHealth activities (0.973 (0.758-1.250); p = 0.825). Healthcare satisfaction was not associated with higher frequency of active days 0.996 (0.983-1.009; p = 0.519); neither was number of eHealth activities 1.001 (0.991-1.011; p = 0.883).

CONCLUSION

In this study, eHealth usage was associated with parental satisfaction with the specific eHealth device, but not with eHealth literacy or healthcare satisfaction. To assure equal access to healthcare when using eHealth, the user-friendliness of the device seems to be crucial, and technical support needs to be in place.

CLINICALTRIALS

GOV REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER

NCT04150120 (04/11/2019).

Utilization and safety of telemedicine for pediatric lower urinary tract symptoms before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

Telemedicine for pediatric lower urinary tract symptoms (pLUTS) is a relatively new mode of delivering bladder health education with scant evidence supporting current practice. We aim to examine the safety of pLUTS-related telemedicine visits surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of new pLUTS referral diagnoses to our institution's pediatric urology clinics. Demographics, wait times, and referral diagnoses were captured and compared before and after March 2020 using χ2 /Fisher exact tests and t-tests. A retrospective chart review was performed for an initial telemedicine visit followed by an in-person visit to identify missed radiology, lab, or physical exam findings.

RESULTS

Six hundred twelve patients were included from September 2018 to August 2021. Most were 5-10 years old (62.3%), female (56.2%), English speaking (86.5%), White (39.4%), and had private insurance (67.2%). Wait times were shorter for telemedicine versus in-person visits (t190  = -3.56, p < .001). After March 2020, patients with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and females utilized in-person visits more often (p < .001). After chart review (11 patients, mean = 10.4 years), 9 (81.8%) had comorbid conditions and/or family history of lower urinary tract symptoms. None had missed clinical findings that changed management.

CONCLUSIONS

pLUTS care can be delivered via telemedicine without a significant change in patient volume and population, though additional investigations will clarify the needs of patients with specific referral diagnoses and comorbid conditions. The in-person exam can be omitted safely with proper clinical history taking, supporting future virtual programs that address delays in care within local communities.

Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Pediatric Patients: Uncovering a Rural Health Challenge

Background

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia poses significant risk for morbidity and mortality. This may be exacerbated in rural populations facing unique health challenges.

Methods

To investigate factors influencing S. aureus bacteremia outcomes, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of children admitted to St. Louis Children's Hospital (SLCH) from 2011 to 2019. Exposures included rurality (defined by the Rural-Urban Continuum Code), Area Deprivation Index, and outside hospital (OSH) admission before SLCH admission. The primary outcome was treatment failure, a composite of 90-day all-cause mortality and hospital readmission.

Results

Of 251 patients, 69 (27%) were from rural areas; 28 (11%) were initially admitted to an OSH. Treatment failure occurred in 39 (16%) patients. Patients from rural areas were more likely to be infected with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (45%) vs urban children (29%; P = .02). Children initially admitted to an OSH, vs those presenting directly to SLCH, were more likely to require intensive care unit-level (ICU) care (57% vs 29%; P = .002), have an endovascular source of infection (32% vs 12%; P = .004), have a longer duration of illness before hospital presentation (4.1 vs 3.0 days; P = .04), and have delayed initiation of targeted antibiotic therapy (3.9 vs 2.6 days; P = .01). Multivariable analysis revealed rural residence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-5.0), comorbidities (aOR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3-6.2), and ICU admission (aOR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.9-8.3) as predictors of treatment failure.

Conclusions

Children from rural areas face barriers to specialized health care. These challenges may contribute to severe illness and worse outcomes among children with S. aureus bacteremia.

Informed Consent in Paediatric Telemedicine: Challenge or Opportunity? A Scoping Review

The fundamental importance of informed consent as a prerequisite for the lawfulness of the medical act is an indisputable cornerstone of clinical practice. However, the provision of effective information and the collection of informed consent presents important critical issues in the underage patient, even considering that in general terms he or she does not have the power to directly express consent, which must be provided by parents or legal guardians. These critical issues are amplified in the context of telemedicine. The present study aims, through a scoping review of the literature of the past 10 years, to outline the operational practices adopted in the collection of informed consent from children in the context of telemedicine and to identify solutions devised to address the critical issues related to the provision of adequate information to the child in this particular care setting. The results of the research show that the activity of delivering adequate information to the child, itself complex, is made even more complex by the particular setting of telemedicine, which, however, could be effectively exploited to facilitate communication with the child patient.

Virtual care and COVID-19: A survey study of adoption, satisfaction and continuing education preferences of healthcare providers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Introduction

Virtual care has expanded during COVID-19 and enabled continued access to healthcare services. For many healthcare providers, the adoption of virtual care has been a new experience in the provision of healthcare services. The purpose of this survey study was to explore healthcare providers' experiences with virtual care during COVID-19.

Methods

A web-based survey-questionnaire was developed by applying Rogers' theory of diffusion of innovation and distributed to healthcare providers (physicians, nurses and allied health professionals) in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada to explore virtual care experiences, satisfaction and continuing professional development (CPD) needs. Analyses included descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of survey responses.

Results

Fifty-one percent of respondents (n = 432) indicated they were currently offering virtual care and a majority (68.9%) reported it has improved their work experience. Telephone appointments were preferred over videoconferencing by respondents, with key challenges including the inability to conduct a physical exam, patients' cell phone services being unreliable and patients knowing how to use videoconferencing. Majority of respondents (57.5%) reported quality of care by telephone was lower than in-person, whereas quality of care by videoconferencing was equivalent to in-person. Main benefits of virtual care included increased patient access, ability to work from home, and reduction in no-show appointments. Key supports for adopting virtual care included in-house organizational supports (e.g., technical support staff), local colleague support, and technology training. Important topics for virtual care CPD included complying with regulatory standards/rules, understanding privacy or ethical boundaries, and developing competency and digital professionalism while engaging in virtual care.

Discussion

Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual care will have a continuing role in enhancing continuity of care through access that is more convenient. Survey findings reveal a number of opportunities for supporting healthcare providers in use of virtual care, including CPD, guidelines and resources to support adaptation to virtual care provision (e.g., virtual examinations/assessments), as well as patient educational support.

Perceived barriers and facilitators to the adoption of telemedicine infectious diseases consultations in southeastern Missouri hospitals

INTRODUCTION

Telemedicine infectious diseases consultations (tele-ID consults) improves access to healthcare for underserved/resource-limited communities. However, factors promoting or hindering implementation of tele-ID consults in low-resource settings are understudied. This study sought to fill this gap by describing perceived barriers and facilitators tele-ID consults at three rural hospitals in southeastern Missouri.

METHODS

Twelve in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposively sampled group of information-rich hospital stakeholders from three rural, southeastern Missouri hospitals with partial or no on-site availability of ID physicians. Our literature-informed interview guide elicited participants' knowledge and experience with tele-ID consults, perceptions on ID consultation needs, and perceived barriers to and facilitators of tele-ID consults. Interview transcripts were coded using an iterative process of inductive analysis to identify core themes related to barriers and facilitators.

RESULTS

Perceived barriers to adopting and implementing tele-ID consults included logistical challenges, technology and devices, negative emotional responses, patient-related factors, concerns about reduced quality of care when using telemedicine, lack of acceptance or buy-in from physicians or staff, and legal concerns. Key facilitators included perceived need, perceived benefits to patients and physicians, flexibility and openness to change among staff members and patients, telemedicine champions, prior experiences, and enthusiasm.

DISCUSSION

Our findings demonstrate that rural hospitals need tele-ID consults and have the capacity to implement tele-ID consults, but operational and technical feasibility challenges remain. Adoption and implementation of tele-ID consults may reduce ID-physician shortage-related service gaps by permitting ID physician's greater geographic reach.

Training for virtual care: What do the experts think?

Introduction

Virtual care has expanded during COVID-19 and enabled continued access to healthcare services. As with the introduction of any new technology in healthcare delivery, the preparation of healthcare providers for adopting and using such systems is imperative. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore experts' ascribed opinions on healthcare providers' continuing professional development (CPD) needs in virtual care.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of key informants representing Canadian provincial and national organizations with expertise in virtual care delivery.

Results

Three main areas of knowledge, skills, and abilities that would be most helpful for healthcare providers in preparing to adopt and use virtual care were identified. The use of technology necessitates knowledge of how to integrate technology and virtual care in the practice workflow. This includes knowing how to use the technology and the privacy and security of the technology. Providers need to be able to adapt their clinical skills to virtual care and build rapport through good communication with patients. Virtual care is not appropriate for all visits, therefore providers need to understand when an in-person visit is necessary with respect to the nature of the appointment, as well as contextual factors for individual patients. Finally, providers need to adapt their examination skills to virtual care.

Discussion

Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual care will have a continuing role in enhancing continuity of care through access that is more convenient. Key informants identified barriers and challenges in adopting and using virtual care effectively, fundamental knowledge, skills and/or abilities required, and important topics and/or educational experiences to guide CPD program development on virtual care for healthcare providers.

Parents' Experiences Using Digital Health Technologies in Paediatric Overweight and Obesity Support: An Integrative Review

This study aimed to explore parents' perspectives regarding the use of digital health technologies in paediatric overweight and obesity weight support. A systematic search in 'Academic Search Premier', 'British Nursing Index', 'Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health', and 'Health Research Premium Collection' was conducted in November 2021. Inclusion criteria were English or Nordic peer-reviewed articles published after 2010, overweight and obese children aged 2-10, weight support using digital health technologies, and parental experiences examined. An integrative review was conducted using Joanna Briggs Institute quality appraisal checklists and a constant comparison analysis method. In total, 14 articles were analysed that included SMS, telephone, apps, websites, and social media as the main technology groups. A limitation of this review was the heterogenicity of the studies. The results indicate that parents, mostly mothers, had a positive experience, finding technologies helpful and easy to use, and expressed optimism toward future use. An option for interacting with others and the possibility of personalising support were enjoyed or requested. In conclusion, digital health technologies can be a suitable tool to empower the parents of children with overweight and obesity concerns, whose perspective should be considered during the design and support phases.

Preoperative Hospitalist Telehealth Visits for Medically Complex Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, telehealth has emerged as an alternative to in-person visits. Our children's hospital's preoperative program includes a pediatric hospitalist evaluation of medically complex patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. Starting in March 2020, patients were offered either in-person or telehealth preoperative visits. Few data exist regarding preoperative telehealth for medically complex children. We sought to assess this program's practicality and compare clinical characteristics, demographic data, and visit outcome data of patients seen via telehealth versus those seen in person.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected demographic or clinical data, visit characteristics, and visit outcome data of medically complex children scheduled for orthopedic surgery seen April-October 2020. We reviewed the data to compare characteristics of patients seen in person to those seen via telehealth.

RESULTS

We reviewed 68 visits: 34 (50%) telehealth and 34 (50%) in-person. There was no statistically significant difference in telehealth use by primary language, insurance type, underlying medical condition, gross motor function classification system score, or technology dependence. There was no significant difference between the median number of hospitalist recommendations (4 telehealth vs 3 in-person, P = .553) or progression to surgery (32 vs 32, odds ratio 1.000, confidence interval 0.133-7.540) on the basis of visit type.

CONCLUSIONS

A preoperative telehealth program is practical for medically complex children. We found no significant difference in telehealth use between technology-dependent patients and those who are not. Further study of preoperative telehealth visits will hopefully be broader in scope.

A scoping review of applications of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to telehealth service implementation initiatives

BACKGROUND

The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), introduced in 2009, has the potential to provide a comprehensive understanding of the determinants of implementation-effectiveness of health service innovations. Although the CFIR has been increasingly used in recent years to examine factors influencing telehealth implementation, no comprehensive reviews currently exist on the scope of knowledge gained exclusively from applications of the CFIR to telehealth implementation initiatives. This review sought to address this gap.

METHODS

PRISMA-ScR criteria were used to inform a scoping review of the literature. Five academic databases (PUBMED, PROQUEST, SCIDIRECT, CINAHL, and WoS) were searched for eligible sources of evidence from 01.01.2010 through 12.31.2021. The initial search yielded a total of 18,388 records, of which, 64 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria for the review. Included articles were reviewed in full to extract data, and data collected were synthesized to address the review questions.

RESULTS

Most included articles were published during or after 2020 (64%), and a majority (77%) were qualitative or mixed-method studies seeking to understand barriers or facilitators to telehealth implementation using the CFIR. There were few comparative- or implementation-effectiveness studies containing outcome measures (5%). The database search however, revealed a growing number of protocols for implementation-effectiveness studies published since 2020. Most articles (91%) reported the CFIR Inner Setting domain (e.g., leadership engagement) to have a predominant influence over telehealth implementation success. By comparison, few articles (14%) reported the CFIR Outer Setting domain (e.g., telehealth policies) to have notable influence. While more (63%) telehealth initiatives were focused on specialty (vs primary) care, a vast majority (78%) were focused on clinical practice over medical education, healthcare administration, or population health.

CONCLUSIONS

Organized provider groups have historically paid considerable attention to advocating for telehealth policy (Outer Setting) reform. However, results suggest that for effective telehealth implementation, provider groups need to refocus their efforts on educating individual providers on the complex inter-relationships between Inner Setting constructs and telehealth implementation-effectiveness. On a separate note, the growth in implementation-effectiveness study protocols since 2020, suggests that additional outcome measures may soon be available, to provide a more nuanced understanding of the determinants of effective telehealth implementation based on the CFIR domains and constructs.

Telemedicine in pediatric cardiology: pros and cons

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this article is to review recent uses of telemedicine in pediatric cardiology, highlighting merits, challenges, and future directions.

RECENT FINDINGS

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telemedicine use, which has had a positive impact with respect to providers, patients, and their caregivers. Recent data have demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of telemedicine through expediting needed care and reducing healthcare utilization, including unnecessary emergency department visits, transports, and hospitalizations. With increasing complexity of cardiac care, telecardiology allows for establishing a medical home, improving access, and continuity of care. Great potential also exists for telecardiology to permit more consistent preventive care, possibly resulting in improved health equity, reduced morbidity and mortality, and associated costs. Challenges to optimal implementation of telecardiology, which are all surmountable, include the currently unaccounted additional workload and administrative burden, licensing restrictions, disparities in access to care, insurance reimbursement, and potential fraud and abuse.

SUMMARY

Telecardiology allows for efficient, quality, effective, collaborative care and is foundational to creating innovative, high-value care models. Through integration with accelerating technology and in-person visits, a sustainable hybrid model of optimal care can be achieved. Addressing barriers to progress in telecardiology is critical.

Telehealth in a paediatric developmental metropolitan assessment clinic: Perspectives and experiences of families and clinicians

Background

The application of telehealth in the paediatric setting is growing, and yet, limited research has focused on using telehealth in developmental diagnostic assessment and the consumers' perceptions of their telehealth experience. This study explored parents'/carers' and staff experiences of using telehealth as part of the developmental diagnostic assessment.

Methods

Parents/carers who attended an assessment between June 2020 and July 2021 that incorporated a telehealth component within a hybrid service delivery model were invited to provide feedback about their experience of telehealth appointments at a multidisciplinary developmental assessment service. All parents were invited to complete an online survey, with a sample of families being offered a telephone interview. Staff members were invited to a focus group to explore their experiences of delivering services via telehealth. Data obtained were analysed descriptively and thematically using a mixed method of analysis. Codes were categorized, enabling facilitators and barriers to be explored.

Results

The use of telehealth in the diagnostic assessment of complex developmental disorders received high levels of acceptance from parents/carers and staff, despite having limitations such as technical issues, difficulties building rapport between families/clinicians and limited direct observations of the child. Telehealth services are perceived to reduce costs and increase flexibility, including increased ability to accommodate family needs.

Conclusions

Results demonstrated that telehealth is a highly acceptable mode of service in a developmental assessment service. The current study informs the development of a hybrid service delivery model by enhancing facilitators and reducing barriers commonly reported by consumers and provides direction for future research.

Patient or Public Contribution

Parents or carers of children who attended a tertiary paediatric assessment unit for a diagnostic developmental assessment completed the online survey and were interviewed.

Obesity in children and adolescents: epidemiology, causes, assessment, and management

This Review describes current knowledge on the epidemiology and causes of child and adolescent obesity, considerations for assessment, and current management approaches. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, obesity prevalence in children and adolescents had plateaued in many high-income countries despite levels of severe obesity having increased. However, in low-income and middle-income countries, obesity prevalence had risen. During the pandemic, weight gain among children and adolescents has increased in several jurisdictions. Obesity is associated with cardiometabolic and psychosocial comorbidity as well as premature adult mortality. The development and perpetuation of obesity is largely explained by a bio-socioecological framework, whereby biological predisposition, socioeconomic, and environmental factors interact together to promote deposition and proliferation of adipose tissue. First-line treatment approaches include family-based behavioural obesity interventions addressing diet, physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and sleep quality, underpinned by behaviour change strategies. Evidence for intensive dietary approaches, pharmacotherapy, and metabolic and bariatric surgery as supplemental therapies are emerging; however, access to these therapies is scarce in most jurisdictions. Research is still needed to inform the personalisation of treatment approaches of obesity in children and adolescents and their translation to clinical practice.

Learning activities without patient interactions can achieve pediatric curricular objectives for adult learners

BACKGROUND

The literature is lacking in studies about what specific types of learning activities are most effective for adult learners.

PURPOSE

To examine the effectiveness of a learning activity with patient interactions as compared to a learning activity without patient interactions.

METHODS

A convenience sample of third year Doctor of Physical Therapy students participated in this retrospective cross-sectional study (n = 47). Data were a clinical reasoning assignment, the Andragogy in Practice Inventory (API) and Intent to Use Scale, and the Behavioral Engagement Related to Instruction (BERI) protocol. Data analysis included descriptive frequencies, paired t-tests, Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests and Multivariate Analysis of Variance.

RESULTS

Significant differences were noted between the learning activity with and the learning activity without patient interaction on several API subscales: prepare the learner, climate setting, setting of objectives and learning activities as well as in the conceptual reasoning area of the clinical reasoning assignment (p = .005, p = .036, p = .002, p = .047, and p = .038, respectively). No other significant differences were noted in other outcome variables. No significant influence of age or gender was found.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that, overall, both the with and without patient interaction learning activities were compatible with the preferences of the adult learner.

Perspectives of Policy Makers and Service Users Concerning the Implementation of eHealth in Sweden: Interview Study

Background

Increasing life spans of populations and a growing demand for more advanced care make effective and cost-efficient provision of health care necessary. eHealth technology is often proposed, although research on barriers to and facilitators of the implementation of eHealth technology is still scarce and fragmented.

Objective

The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions concerning barriers to and facilitators of the implementation of eHealth among policy makers and service users and explore the ways in which their perceptions converge and differ.

Methods

This study used interview data from policy makers at different levels of health care (n=7) and service users enrolled in eHealth interventions (n=25). The analysis included separate qualitative content analyses for the 2 groups and then a second qualitative content analysis to explore differences and commonalities.

Results

Implementation barriers perceived by policy makers were that not all service users benefit from eHealth and that there is uncertainty about the impact of eHealth on the work of health care professionals. Policy makers also perceived political decision-making as complex; this included problems related to provision of technical infrastructure and lack of extra resources for health care digitalization. Facilitators were policy makers’ conviction that eHealth is what citizens want, their belief in eHealth solutions as beneficial for health care practice, and their belief in the importance of health care digitalization. Barriers for service users comprised capability limitations and varied preferences of service users and a mismatch of technology with user needs, lack of data protection, and their perception of eHealth as being more time consuming. Facilitators for service users were eHealth technology design and match with their skill set, personal feedback and staff support, a sense of privacy, a credible sender, and flexible use of time.There were several commonalities between the 2 stakeholder groups. Facilitators for both groups were the strong impetus toward technology adoption in society and expectations of time flexibility. Both groups perceived barriers in the difficulties of tailoring eHealth, and both groups expressed uncertainty about the care burden distribution. There were also differences: policy makers perceived that their decision-making was very complex and that resources for implementation were limited. Service users highlighted their need to feel that their digital data were protected and that they needed to trust the eHealth sender.

Conclusions

Perceptions about barriers to and facilitators of eHealth implementation varied among stakeholders in different parts of the health care system. The study points to the need to reach an enhanced mutual understanding of priorities and overcome challenges at both the micro and macro levels of the health care system. More well-balanced decisions at the policy-maker level may lead to more effective and sustainable development and future implementation of eHealth.

Usability and Engagement Testing of mHealth Apps in Paediatric Obesity: A Narrative Review of Current Literature

Mobile health (mHealth) platforms have become increasingly popular for delivering health interventions in recent years and particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Childhood obesity treatment is an area where mHealth interventions may be useful due to the multidisciplinary nature of interventions and the need for long-term care. Many mHealth apps targeting youth exist but the evidence base underpinning the methods for assessing technical usability, user engagement and user satisfaction of such apps with target end-users or among clinical populations is unclear, including for those aimed at paediatric overweight and obesity management. This review aims to examine the current literature and provide an overview of the scientific methods employed to test usability and engagement with mHealth apps in children and adolescents with obesity. A narrative literature review was undertaken following a systematic search. Four academic databases were searched. Inclusion criteria were studies describing the usability of mHealth interventions for childhood obesity treatment. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, fifty-nine articles were included for full-text review, and seven studies met the criteria for usability and engagement in a clinical paediatric population with obesity. Six apps were tested for usability and one for engagement in childhood obesity treatment. Sample sizes ranged from 6–1120 participants. The included studies reported several heterogenous measurement instruments, data collection approaches, and outcomes. Recommendations for future research include the standardization and validation of instruments to measure usability and engagement within mHealth studies in this population.

Acceptability of Pediatric Telerehabilitation Interventions Provided by Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists-A Scoping Review

AIMS

The purpose of this scoping review was to explore the available literature and identify gaps regarding the acceptability of telerehabilitation interventions provided by pediatric physical therapists and occupational therapists.

METHODS

We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-ScR) framework to guide this scoping review. We systematically searched eight scholarly databases (CINAHL, Medline, SPORTDiscus, AMED, APA PsychInfo, SCOPUS, PEDro, OTseeker), five gray literature databases (MedlinePlus, Gray Literature Report, OpenGrey, National Institute for Health, ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Global [PQDT]), conducted a manual search of selected references and contacted international experts. We included articles published between 2000 and 2021. Acceptability was defined in accordance with the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability of Sekhon et al.

RESULTS

From a total of 1567 unique references, 123 were deemed eligible for full-text review. Eighteen studies published between 2011 and 2021 were included in this review. Even though every aspect of the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability was assessed from a variety of angles, a complete appreciation of the concept is still lacking for pediatric telerehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights important gaps in our knowledge regarding the acceptability of pediatric telerehabilitation interventions and supports the need for further research focusing on the subject.

"Another Tool in Your Toolkit": Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapists' Perspectives of Initiating Telehealth during the COVID-19 Pandemic

AIMS

Pediatric occupational and physical therapy service delivery via telehealth increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Real-world experience can guide service improvement. This study explored experiences, barriers, and facilitators of initial telehealth implementation from the therapist's perspective.

METHODS

Qualitative descriptive approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with occupational therapists (n = 4) and physical therapists (n = 4) between May-June 2020. Interviews were recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were coded inductively to generate themes, then re-coded deductively to classify barriers and facilitators to telehealth acceptance and use using the Unified Technology Acceptance Theory.

RESULTS

Participants had 16.5 [(2-35); median (range)] years of experience (3 months with telehealth) and predominantly worked with preschool children. Three themes about telehealth were identified: a practical option; requires skill development and refinement; beneficial in perpetuity. Most frequently cited barriers were the lack of opportunity for 'hands-on' assessment/intervention and the learning curve required. Most frequently cited facilitators included seeing a child in their own environment, attendance may be easier for some families, and families' perception that telehealth was useful.

CONCLUSION

Despite rapid implementation, therapists largely described telehealth as a positive experience. Telehealth facilitated continued service provision and was perceived as relevant post-pandemic. Additional training and ensuring equitable access to services are priorities as telehealth delivery evolves.

Parent Satisfaction With Outpatient Telemedicine Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of hospital-based telemedicine services had been slow and circumscribed in scope due to insurance and licensure restrictions. As these restrictions were eased during the COVID-19 pandemic to facilitate ongoing patient care, the public health emergency facilitated a rapid expansion and utilization of telemedicine services across the ambulatory service sector.

Objectives

The current quality improvement (QI) study utilized this unprecedented opportunity to evaluate the use of telemedicine services across a variety of clinical disciplines and patient groups.

Methods

Caregivers of patients (ages 0-21) who received care through an outpatient specialty center provided experience ratings of telemedicine services delivered during the initial pandemic months (March-June 2020; N = 1311) or during the national "winter surge" in late 2020 (November 2020-February 2021; N = 1395). Questionnaires were distributed electronically following the clinical visits, and ANCOVA was employed (with patient age as the covariate) to determine if caregiver responses differed based on patient demographic characteristics.

Results

Ratings of patient satisfaction with services were very strong at both time points; greater variability in scores was noted when caregivers were asked if they would use telemedicine services again. At both time points, younger patient age (i.e., age 0-5) was associated with decreased caregiver willingness to use telemedicine services in the future. Smaller effects were seen for certain "hands on" therapies (occupational, physical, and speech) during the initial months of the pandemic and for proximity to the hospital during the "winter surge."

Conclusions

These data suggest a very positive overall caregiver response to telemedicine-based services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several areas of potential improvement/innovation were identified, including the delivery of telemedicine therapies (e.g., occupational, physical, and speech) services to young patients (i.e., aged 0-5).

Pediatric Weight Management Through mHealth Compared to Face-to-Face Care: Cost Analysis of a Randomized Control Trial

BACKGROUND

Mobile health (mHealth) may improve pediatric weight management capacity and the geographical reach of services, and overcome barriers to attending physical appointments using ubiquitous devices such as smartphones and tablets. This field remains an emerging research area with some evidence of its effectiveness; however, there is a scarcity of literature describing economic evaluations of mHealth interventions.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the economic viability of using an mHealth approach as an alternative to standard multidisciplinary care by evaluating the direct costs incurred within treatment arms during a noninferiority randomized controlled trial (RCT).

METHODS

A digitally delivered (via a smartphone app) maintenance phase of a pediatric weight management program was developed iteratively with patients and families using evidence-based approaches. We undertook a microcosting exercise and budget impact analysis to assess the costs of delivery from the perspective of the publicly funded health care system. Resource use was analyzed alongside the RCT, and we estimated the costs associated with the staff time and resources for service delivery per participant.

RESULTS

In total, 109 adolescents participated in the trial, and 84 participants completed the trial (25 withdrew from the trial). We estimated the mean direct cost per adolescent attending usual care at €142 (SD 23.7), whereas the cost per adolescent in the mHealth group was €722 (SD 221.1), with variations depending on the number of weeks of treatment completion. The conversion rate for the reference year 2013 was $1=€0.7525. The costs incurred for those who withdrew from the study ranged from €35 to €681, depending on the point of dropout and study arm. The main driver of the costs in the mHealth arm was the need for health professional monitoring and support for patients on a weekly basis. The budget impact for offering the mHealth intervention to all newly referred patients in a 1-year period was estimated at €59,046 using the assessed approach.

CONCLUSIONS

This mHealth approach was substantially more expensive than usual care, although modifications to the intervention may offer opportunities to reduce the mHealth costs. The need for monitoring and support from health care professionals (HCPs) was not eliminated using this delivery model. Further research is needed to explore the cost-effectiveness and economic impact on families and from a wider societal perspective.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01804855; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01804855.