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Need and feasibility of telemedicine in non-urban day care centres
Monika Setia1, Jami L DelliFraine
1Department of Health Policy and Administration, Pennsylvania State University, 604 Ford Bldg, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA. monika.setia@psu.edu
Insights
Telemedicine appears feasible for rural day care centers, potentially saving parents time and money. This study explored its implementation from the centers
Area of Science:
- Rural Health
- Pediatric Care
- Health Informatics
Background:
- Limited research exists on telemedicine utilization in rural day care settings.
- Day care centers frequently send ill children home, impacting parents' work and children's health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of implementing telemedicine in rural day care centers from the centers' perspective.
- To evaluate the perceived need, familiarity, openness, and preparedness for telemedicine adoption.
Main Methods:
- Conducted telephone and face-to-face interviews with eight rural day care centers in Pennsylvania.
- Assessed centers' perspectives on telemedicine needs, resources, and readiness.
Main Results:
- Most centers reported a need for telemedicine and expressed openness to learning its use.
- Concerns were raised about equipment space, but overall resources were deemed adequate.
- An average of 4.7 children per center were sent home monthly due to illness.
Conclusions:
- Telemedicine is a feasible option for rural day care centers.
- Implementation could offer significant time and cost savings for parents.
- Potential exists for improved healthcare access for children in rural communities.
Abstract:
There appear to have been no studies of telemedicine in rural day care centres. We have assessed the feasibility of using telemedicine in eight rural day care centres in Pennsylvania, from the day care centres' perspective. The average number of children in these centres was 76 (range 20-150). The centres sent an average of 4.7 children home each month because of illness. Using telephone and face-to-face interviews, we assessed their perceived need for and familiarity with telemedicine, as well as their openness and preparedness for implementing telemedicine. Most day care centres reported a need for telemedicine and were open to learning how to use it. Some centres were concerned about adequate space for the equipment, but overall, the centres felt that their resources were adequate. Telemedicine in rural day care centres appears to be feasible, and would have the potential to save time and money for parents, as well as perhaps improving health care for children in rural areas.
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