Pediatric telehealth, the practice of providing medical care to kids remotely, is becoming more popular each year. A survey by Amwell and Nemours Children’s Health found that 61% of parents were willing to use online pediatric services.
This article discusses the benefits, challenges, and ways telehealth for children can improve pediatric care.
Contents
What is Pediatric Telehealth?
Pediatric telehealth uses digital technology to deliver healthcare services to children. Healthcare providers can use video calls, secure messaging, and mobile health apps to offer medical consultations, diagnoses, and treatments remotely (Tully et al., 2021).
Pediatric telehealth includes various services like virtual doctor visits, e-prescriptions, and remote monitoring. It aims to make healthcare more accessible and convenient for children and their families, especially those living in rural or underserved areas (Hall et al., 2015).
Pediatric telehealth service types
Pediatric telehealth offers various services, such as:
- Virtual doctor visits: These include urgent care, routine check-ups, follow-up appointments, and consultations for minor illnesses or injuries.
- Mental health services: Telehealth provides access to pediatric psychology and behavioral health support, which is crucial to address mental health issues in children.
- Chronic condition management: With telehealth, conditions like asthma, diabetes, and gastrointestinal issues can be monitored and managed remotely.
- Specialty care: Pediatric specialties such as endocrinology, dermatology, and neurology can be accessed through telehealth, allowing families to consult specialists without traveling long distances.
Primary care pediatricians report using telehealth for sick visits (91%), mental health visits (85%), and chronic disease visits (71%). Over 80% of pediatricians reported telehealth was very effective or moderately effective for mental health and chronic disease visits.
Technologies used for pediatric telehealth
The technologies that enable pediatric telehealth include:
- Video conferencing tools: Platforms like Zoom or Skype facilitate face-to-face interactions between healthcare providers and patients.
- Secure messaging: This allows for confidential communication between families and healthcare providers.
- Remote monitoring devices: Wearable devices and home monitoring tools help track vital signs and other health metrics.
- Mobile health apps: These apps provide educational resources, appointment scheduling, and medication reminders.
Benefits of Telehealth for Kids and Families
Pediatric telehealth offers numerous advantages for children and their families, making healthcare more accessible and efficient.
Convenience and accessibility
Telehealth provides the convenience of accessing healthcare services from home, eliminating the need for travel. This is particularly beneficial for families with busy schedules or those living in remote areas. It also reduces the time spent in waiting rooms, minimizing exposure to illnesses.
Access to specialists
Telehealth can bridge the gap between families and pediatric specialists, regardless of their geographic location. This is crucial for children requiring specialized care, such as pediatric oncology or neurology, where specialists may not be available in their area (Casey Family Programs, 2024).
Cost-effectiveness and time savings
By reducing travel expenses and time off work or school, telehealth can be more cost-effective for families. It also alleviates the burden of transportation, which can be a huge barrier for some families.
Common Pediatric Conditions Treated via Telehealth
Telehealth is effective for managing a variety of pediatric conditions, offering a practical solution for acute and chronic health issues. Some pediatric services are better for telehealth than others:
- Virtual Visits: Best for mental health, behavioral and developmental concerns, headaches, and skin conditions.
- In-Person Visits: Best for newborn and well-child checkups, immunizations, and asthma. Also important for illnesses that require a test or an exam for an official diagnosis.
Let’s go over the ideal conditions for pediatric virtual visits.
Minor illnesses and injuries
Telehealth can address common childhood ailments such as fevers, rashes, respiratory infections, and minor injuries like cuts and bruises. Virtual doctor visits allow healthcare providers to assess symptoms and recommend treatment without an in-person visit.
Mental health and behavioral issues
About 16.5% of people under age 18 have experienced at least one mental health condition, with depression, anxiety, and conduct problems being among the most prevalent. The rates of depression and anxiety among teens have shown an upward trend over time, amplified by the pandemic (Vanderwood et al., 2023).
Telehealth has become an essential tool for delivering mental health services to children. It provides a platform for therapy sessions and behavioral assessments, which are crucial for managing conditions like anxiety and depression.
Collaborative care and telehealth
Collaborative care is when primary care doctors work closely with mental health experts to help patients. One study by JG Research & Evaluation and Concert Health looked at how well collaborative care delivered via telehealth works for treating depression and anxiety in teenagers. They found that over half of the teens in this study saw their symptoms improve.
More frequent check-ins with the teens led to better results, especially for those with anxiety. Researchers also noticed that older teens tended to do better with this treatment, possibly because they can engage more easily with phone-based (audio-only) care and learn coping skills better.
One notable finding was that Medicaid patients were less likely to see big improvements in their depression symptoms compared to those with private insurance. This suggests that Medicaid patients may need extra support.
Chronic disease management
Children with chronic conditions like asthma, epilepsy, or diabetes can benefit from telehealth through regular monitoring and consultations. This ensures continuous care and timely adjustments to treatment plans.
Follow-up appointments and medication reviews
Telehealth simplifies follow-up care by allowing healthcare providers to review medications and treatment progress remotely. This is especially useful for children requiring ongoing medical supervision.
Challenges and Limitations of Pediatric Telehealth
Despite its benefits, pediatric telehealth faces several challenges that must be addressed to ensure that providers can implement it effectively.
Technology barriers and digital divide
Access to reliable internet and digital devices is essential for telehealth, but not all families have this available to them (Curfman et al., 2022). The digital divide can hinder the effectiveness of telehealth services, particularly in rural or low-income areas.
Difficulty performing physical examinations
Telehealth limits the ability to conduct thorough physical exams, which are sometimes necessary for accurate diagnosis. This is a big drawback for certain medical conditions (Tully et al., 2021).
Privacy and security concerns
Ensuring the privacy and security of patient data is crucial in telehealth. If you have concerns about the confidentiality of your health information when using digital platforms, check that your provider’s telehealth platform is HIPAA-compliant.
Insurance coverage and reimbursement complexities
Understanding insurance coverage for telehealth services can be difficult and complex, with varying policies on reimbursement. This can affect how affordable and accessible telehealth is for some families (Tully et al., 2021).
How to Prepare for a Pediatric Telehealth Visit
Families should get ready for their child’s telehealth appointment with the following steps.
Setting up the tech
Ensure that the necessary technology, such as a computer or smartphone with a camera and microphone, is set up and functioning properly. Test the internet connection to avoid disruptions during the appointment.
Gather medical information
Prepare any relevant medical records, such as previous diagnoses, medication lists, and recent test results, to share with the healthcare provider during the consultation.
Create the ideal environment
Choose a quiet, private, and well-lit area for the telehealth visit to facilitate clear communication and minimize distractions.
Tips to keep children engaged
Engage children by explaining the purpose of the telehealth visit and involving them in the process. Having a favorite toy or book nearby can help keep them calm and focused during the appointment.
The Future of Telehealth in Pediatric Care
The future of pediatric telehealth looks promising, with advancements in technology and increased integration into healthcare systems.
Up-and-coming technologies
Innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and advanced wearable devices are expected to enhance telehealth services, making them more interactive and effective.
Integration with school health services
Telehealth can be integrated into school health programs, providing students with access to medical care without leaving the school premises. This can improve health outcomes and reduce absenteeism (Curfman et al., 2022).
Potential for improving healthcare equity
Telehealth has the potential to improve healthcare equity by providing underserved populations with access to quality care. This is particularly important for children in rural or low-income areas.
Ongoing research and development
Continuous research and development in telehealth will likely lead to new applications and improvements in service delivery, ensuring that pediatric telehealth remains a vital component of children’s healthcare.
Conclusion
Pediatric telehealth is more than just a convenient option—it’s a powerful tool that’s expanding access to quality healthcare for children everywhere. While challenges remain, the benefits of virtual care for kids are clear: increased access to specialists, reduced healthcare costs, and improved convenience for families.
For parents and healthcare providers alike, embracing digital solutions like telehealth can mean healthier, happier kids and more empowered families.
The future of children’s healthcare is here, and it’s just a screen away.
References
AAP Research. (2023). AAP study shows telehealth use common in pediatric care. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Retrieved from https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/23772/AAP-study-shows-telehealth-use-common-in-pediatric
Hall, R. W., TELEHEALTH CARE, S. O., Dehnel, P. J., Alexander, J. J., Bell, D. M., Bunik, M., & Kile, J. R. (2015). Technical Report: Telemedicine: Pediatric Applications. Pediatrics; 136(1), e293. doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-1517
How can child protection agencies use telehealth to increase service access for children and families? (2024). Casey Family Programs. Retrieved from https://www.casey.org/telehealth-child-welfare/
LaMarco, N. (2024). What Conditions Can a Pediatrician Treat with Telehealth? Healthgrades. Retrieved from https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/childrens-health/10-childrens-conditions-that-can-be-treated-in-a-telehealth-visit
Minimizing Telehealth Technology Barriers in Rural and Underserved Communities. (n.d.). American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Retrieved from https://www.aap.org/en/practice-management/care-delivery-approaches/telehealth/minimizing-telehealth-technology-barriers-in-rural-and-underserved-communities/
Telehealth: Opportunities to Improve Access, Quality, and Cost in Pediatric Care. (2022). American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Retrieved from https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/149/3/e2021056035/184902/Telehealth-Opportunities-to-Improve-Access-Quality
Telehealth appointment or in-person primary care? How to choose the best option for you. (n.d.). HealthPartners. Retrieved from https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/when-to-use-telemedicine
Telehealth Virtual Care Services Bring Future of Health Care to Every Child Pediatrics. (n.d.). Every Child Pediatrics. Retrieved from https://everychildpediatrics.org/telehealth-virtual-care-services-bring-future-of-health-care-to-every-child-pediatrics/
Survey Finds Majority of Parents Willing to Engage in Telehealth Post-COVID. (2021). Nemours Children’s Health. Retrieved from https://nemours.mediaroom.com/2021-07-28-Survey-Finds-Majority-of-Parents-Willing-to-Engage-in-Telehealth-Post-COVID
Tully, L., Case, L., Arthurs, N., Sorensen, J., & Marcin, J. P. (2021). Barriers and Facilitators for Implementing Pediatric Telemedicine: Rapid Review of User Perspectives. Frontiers in Pediatrics; 9. doi.org/10.3389/fped.2021.630365
Vanderwood, K., Joyner, J., & Little, V. (2023). The effectiveness of collaborative care delivered via telehealth in a pediatric primary care population. Frontiers in Psychiatry; 14, 1240902. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1240902