Increasing access without compromising quality: optimizing telemedicine care in pediatric rheumatology

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rheumatology
• Digital Health
• Healthcare Access

Background:

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) affects 1 in 1,000 children, risking disability without treatment.
• Pediatric rheumatologist shortages limit access to essential JIA care.
• Telemedicine adoption accelerated during COVID-19 but faced implementation challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address challenges in telemedicine for JIA patients.
• To identify barriers and opportunities for optimizing virtual pediatric rheumatology care.
• To develop resources for improving telemedicine implementation.

Main Methods:

• A needs assessment was conducted by the PR-COIN Digital Health Workgroup.
• Barriers and opportunities for telemedicine in JIA care were identified.
• A "change package" of interventions and materials was created.

Main Results:

• The needs assessment informed the development of a comprehensive change package.
• The package offers tools for planning, implementing, and evaluating telemedicine improvements.
• Resources are available on the PR-COIN website for adoption.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing telemedicine is crucial for improving access and outcomes in JIA care.
• The developed change package provides a framework for enhancing virtual rheumatology services.
• Continuous evaluation and adaptation are key to evolving telemedicine practices for pediatric patients.