Best Practice During Teleconsultations With Adolescents: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Health
• Digital Health
• Healthcare Delivery

Background:

• Teleconsultations are a growing mode of healthcare delivery.
• There is a lack of specific guidance for teleconsultations involving adolescents.
• Ensuring quality and rights-based principles in adolescent telecare is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize existing literature on teleconsultations with adolescents.
• To inform the development of practical guidance for healthcare professionals.
• To address the need for evidence-based practices in adolescent virtual health.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review of literature published between 2010-2020.
• Searched eight databases and conducted web and Google searches.
• Included articles in English, French, or Spanish, focusing on synchronous teleconsultations with 10-19 year olds.
• Analyzed data using narrative synthesis.

Main Results:

• The review identified 59 references, with a majority (51) from high-income countries.
• Included various study types: primary research, reviews, clinical guidance, case reports, and commentaries.
• The primary focus of the literature was on mental health and behavioral disorders in adolescents.
• A significant portion (46%) of the literature was descriptive, qualitative, or expert opinion.

Conclusions:

• Evidence on the complexities of adolescent teleconsultations is limited.
• Key questions persist regarding the appropriate scope and acuity of conditions for teleconsultation.
• Further research is needed to understand the role of teleconsultations in health inequalities and practical implementation challenges.