Society for Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics Position Statement on Telehealth

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Health Services Research
• Digital Health

Background:

• Telehealth has the potential to improve access to subspecialty care, particularly in developmental and behavioral pediatrics (DBP).
• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth adoption in DBP, highlighting its utility for home-based assessments, medication management, and therapeutic interventions.
• While telehealth reduces barriers like transportation and missed work, it also exposes disparities in broadband access, device availability, and digital literacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for policies supporting ongoing, equitable home-based telehealth care in DBP.
• To ensure continued equitable access to developmental and behavioral pediatrics services.
• To evaluate the benefits and challenges of telehealth versus in-person care and identify optimal care models.

Main Methods:

• Policy analysis and advocacy.
• Review of telehealth benefits and challenges in DBP.
• Identification of clinical scenarios favoring telehealth or in-person care.

Main Results:

• Telehealth has proven effective in delivering DBP services and overcoming traditional access barriers.
• Equitable access via telehealth requires addressing digital determinants of health, including connectivity and literacy.
• The future of telehealth in DBP is uncertain due to expiring temporary policies.

Conclusions:

• Continued legislative and policy support is crucial for sustaining telehealth in DBP.
• Addressing digital health equity is essential for ensuring all children can access DBP services.
• A balanced approach recognizing the strengths of both telehealth and in-person care is needed for optimal patient outcomes.