Integration and Impact of Telemedicine in Underserved Pediatric Primary Care

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Health Services Research
• Digital Health

Background:

• The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine in pediatric primary care.
• Telemedicine offers a potential solution for providing care to underserved populations.
• Feasibility of telemedicine for diverse pediatric needs requires evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of telemedicine for both acute and chronic pediatric care.
• To evaluate patient demographics and chief complaints in a telemedicine setting.
• To identify potential barriers and disparities in telemedicine utilization.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of telemedicine visits at an underserved pediatric primary care center.
• Analysis of patient demographics, chief complaint, and intended care alternatives.
• Assessment of common acute and chronic conditions managed via telemedicine.

Main Results:

• 62% of telemedicine visits were for acute concerns and 38% for chronic conditions.
• For acute visits, 16.5% of families would have used Emergency Department/Urgent Care, and 11.3% would have forgone care without telemedicine.
• Common chronic issues included attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and asthma; racial disparities were observed, with Black patients using telemedicine less.

Conclusions:

• Telemedicine is a viable option for delivering pediatric acute and chronic care in underserved settings.
• Telemedicine implementation must actively address and mitigate existing racial disparities.
• System design should focus on equitable access to virtual pediatric healthcare services.