Developing Workforce Skills and Capacity in Telehealth: What LEND Trainees Need to Know.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Delivery
• Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
• Telehealth Technology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to telehealth in healthcare services.
• Preparing future healthcare providers to serve youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) via telehealth is essential.
• Understanding telehealth's benefits and challenges is vital for NDD care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To inform the development of a national telehealth curriculum for Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) trainees.
• To assess the experiences, benefits, and barriers of telehealth use among stakeholders.
• To ensure future healthcare professionals are equipped for telehealth service delivery to families of youth with NDD.

Main Methods:

• National surveys were distributed to LEND trainees, healthcare professionals, and family members of youth with NDD in November 2020.
• A mixed-methods approach included multiple-choice and free-response questions.
• Data from 208 respondents (88 trainees, 94 professionals, 23 family members) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Most respondents reported positive telehealth experiences, citing increased access and engagement.
• Family members found telehealth superior for location, scheduling, and transportation.
• Key barriers identified were lack of broadband access and implementation complexity.

Conclusions:

• Stakeholders agreed that telehealth basics are essential for effective service delivery.
• Future professionals need to understand patient technology engagement and NDD-specific telehealth strategies.
• This study's findings informed the creation of telehealth learning materials for LEND trainees.