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Identification of neurodevelopmental disabilities in underserved children using telehealth (INvesT): Clinical trial
Angela Hein Ciccia1, Nancy Roizen2, Matt Garvey3
1Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 11635 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, USA.
Insights
The Identification of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in Underserved Children using Telehealth (INvesT) trial uses telehealth to improve early diagnosis of developmental delays in low-income children. This approach aims to reduce identification age and improve access to early intervention services.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Telemedicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Children in poverty face significant risks for developmental delays in language and behavior.
- Disparities in diagnosis and intervention access are exacerbated by access barriers and individual child/family factors.
- The INvesT trial introduces a novel telehealth approach to overcome these barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- Reduce the age of neurodevelopmental disability identification in high-risk, low-income children.
- Validate the INvesT protocol as an effective telehealth service delivery model.
- Identify child, family, and environmental factors influencing the INvesT trial's feasibility and success.
Main Methods:
- An open-label, multi-level study incorporating telehealth risk assessment and screening.
- Includes traditional full assessment and follow-through to early intervention enrollment.
- Partnership with an urban community health clinic serving a predominantly low-income population.
Main Results:
- (Study ongoing, results pending)
Conclusions:
- The INvesT trial is expected to provide evidence supporting telehealth models for improved access to care.
- Findings will inform the use of telehealth to address neurodevelopmental disabilities in underserved populations.
Background:
Children living in poverty are at high risk for delays in development of language and behavior and they experience a discrepancy in diagnosis and access to intervention services. This gap is partially caused by barriers in access as well as traits that are specific to each child and family. The Identification of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in Underserved Children using Telehealth (INvesT) trial is a novel intervention approach that was specifically designed to address these barriers.
Aims:
The INvesT trial has three primary aims: 1) to reduce the age of identification of neurodevelopmental disability for high-risk, low-income children. 2) To validate the INvesT protocol as a service delivery model that will decrease age of identifications of neurodevelopmental disability for high-risk, low-income children; and 3) to identify important child-specific factors, family-specific factors, and environmental factors that impact feasibility and success of the INvesT trial for high-risk, low-income children.
Methods:
The INvesT trial is an open-label, double-blinded, placebo-controlled multi-level study that includes telehealth risk assessment, telehealth screening, traditional full assessment, and follow through to enrollment in early intervention. The trial is conducted in partnership with an urban community health clinic that largely serves a low-income patient population.
Conclusions:
The results of the INvesT trial will provide evidence for the use of a telehealth service delivery model to improve access to care for neurodevelopmental disabilities for high-risk, low-income children.
