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The Acceptability and Effectiveness of Web-Based Developmental Surveillance Programs: Rapid Review
Jess Baker1, Jane Kohlhoff2, Se-Inyenede Onobrakpor3
1The University of New South Wales, Liverpool, Australia.
Insights
Web-based developmental surveillance programs show promise for early detection of childhood developmental delays, particularly in underserved communities. These digital tools offer user-friendliness and efficiency for caregivers and practitioners.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Digital Health Interventions
- Health Equity
Background:
- Web-based developmental surveillance programs offer innovative solutions for early detection of childhood developmental difficulties.
- These programs are particularly beneficial for improving access within disadvantaged populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the acceptability and effectiveness of web-based developmental surveillance programs.
- Focus on children aged 0 to 6 years.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
- Searched 6 databases and gray literature, extracting data on health equity variables.
Main Results:
- Twenty studies were identified, primarily using web-based versions of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F) and Parent Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) screeners.
- Caregivers and practitioners preferred web-based screeners due to user-friendliness, improved follow-up accuracy, time savings, and training efficiencies.
Conclusions:
- Web-based developmental screening offers clear efficiencies compared to traditional face-to-face methods.
- Limited evidence currently exists on the necessity of web-based versus in-person screening.
Background:
Web-based developmental surveillance programs may be an innovative solution to improving the early detection of childhood developmental difficulties, especially within disadvantaged populations.
Objective:
This review aimed to identify the acceptability and effectiveness of web-based developmental surveillance programs for children aged 0 to 6 years.
Methods:
A total of 6 databases and gray literature were searched using a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-informed protocol. Data extraction included variables related to health equity.
Results:
In total, 20 studies were identified. Most papers implemented web-based versions of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up screener for autism spectrum disorder or Parent Evaluation of Developmental Status screeners for broad developmental delay. Caregivers and practitioners indicated a preference for web-based screeners, primarily for user-friendliness, improved follow-up accuracy, time, and training efficiencies.
Conclusions:
Although evidence is limited as to the necessity of web- versus face-to-face-based developmental screening, there are clear efficiencies in its use.
Trial Registration:
PROSPERO CRD42019127894; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=127894.
