Exploring Telehealth to Improve Discharge Outcomes in Children

The inpatient to outpatient transition is critical for patient safety but suffers from lack of standardization and communication. Expanding telehealth use allows unique opportunities to leverage secure video conferencing to streamline communication between families and hospital-based providers (HBPs) after hospital discharge. We conducted a qualitative study to evaluate HBP and caregiver beliefs regarding a proposed telehealth follow-up visit after hospital discharge (THDF).

Interviews were conducted with pediatric hospitalists, senior pediatric residents, and caregivers of patients recently hospitalized on the study hospital's pediatric hospitalist service. Authors developed consensus regarding major themes to inform THDF design. These were organized into a conceptual model.

We conducted 23 interviews with 6 hospitalists, 6 senior residents, and 11 caregivers. Three primary themes were identified: (1) Caregivers and HBPs agree THDF would be beneficial for patients and families; however, evidence is not robust enough to solidify provider buy-in. (2) Telehealth should supplement and enhance current discharge practices; it should not serve as a bandage for a broken system. Although a key aspect of THDF is to have the hospitalist provide follow-up care, this should be provided in addition to primary care provider follow-up. (3) HBPs expressed concerns about challenging workflows, competing demands, and inadequate resources, which are potential barriers to widespread adoption.

THDF leverages expanding telehealth use to provide hospital-based follow-up. While HBPs shared workflow challenges in conducting telehealth, HBPs and caregivers believed potential benefits of THDF outweighed the challenges. This qualitative study will guide implementation of THDF in future studies.