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Telemedicine utilization by pediatric ophthalmologists during the COVID-19 pandemic
Hursuong Vongsachang1, Oded Lagstein2, Michael V Boland3
1Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Insights
Provider perspectives on telemedicine in pediatric ophthalmology reveal a decline in adoption and planned use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns about care limitations and the doctor-patient relationship hinder sustained telemedicine integration.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Health Services Research
- Telemedicine
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid adoption of telemedicine across healthcare.
- Pediatric ophthalmology faced unique challenges in remote care delivery.
- Understanding provider perspectives is crucial for effective telemedicine implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess provider perspectives on telemedicine adoption in pediatric ophthalmology during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To identify barriers to sustained telemedicine use in this specialty.
- To inform best practices for remote pediatric eye care.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was distributed to national pediatric ophthalmology list-servs.
- Respondents from two distinct periods (March-April 2020 and July-August 2020) were compared.
- Data analysis focused on changes in telemedicine usage and non-usage reasons.
Main Results:
- Respondents in July-August 2020 were less likely to report current or planned telemedicine use compared to March-April 2020.
- Key concerns for non-users included limitations in care, implementation challenges, and perceived negative impacts on the doctor-patient relationship.
- A significant portion of providers expressed reservations about the efficacy and feasibility of telemedicine.
Conclusions:
- There was a lack of sustained telemedicine uptake in pediatric ophthalmology within the initial six months of the pandemic.
- Addressing provider concerns regarding care quality, implementation, and patient relationships is essential.
- Facilitating telemedicine integration requires targeted strategies to overcome identified barriers.
Abstract:
Understanding provider perspectives on telemedicine adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic can help inform best practices for delivering pediatric ophthalmic care safely and remotely. In this online survey distributed to two national pediatric ophthalmology list-servs, respondents in July-August 2020 (n = 104) compared with respondents in March-April 2020 (n = 171) were more likely to report not using and not planning on using telemedicine. The July-August respondents who did not use telemedicine were concerned about the limitations in care provided, challenges with implementation, and perceived negative effects on the doctor-patient relationship. These findings demonstrate a lack of sustained uptake of telemedicine in the first 6 months of the pandemic and concerns that should be addressed to facilitate integration of this approach in pediatric ophthalmic care.
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