Parental satisfaction with telemedicine follow-up after pediatric surgery: A cross-sectional study

Telemedicine has transitioned from emergency pandemic response to routine postoperative pediatric surgical care, yet evidence regarding parental satisfaction with sustained implementation remains limited, particularly using validated instruments across different modalities.

To evaluate parental satisfaction with telemedicine follow-up after pediatric surgery and identify key factors associated with satisfaction during the post-COVID-19 adoption period.

Cross-sectional survey of 327 parents whose children received telemedicine follow-up (video or phone) between January 2021 and December 2024. Satisfaction was measured using an adapted Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ). Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of high satisfaction.

Mean satisfaction score was 4.28/5 (SD 0.51), with 82.0 % reporting high satisfaction (TUQ ≥4.0). Video consultations (adjusted OR 1.78, 95 % CI 1.10-2.89, p = 0.018) and absence of technical problems (adjusted OR 3.14, 95 % CI 1.63-6.05, p = 0.001) independently predicted satisfaction. Safety outcomes were reassuring: 7.0 % required unscheduled in-person visits and 4.6 % presented to emergency departments within 14 days, with no significant differences between modalities. Nearly 72 % of parents preferred telemedicine for future follow-up appointments.

Telemedicine demonstrates high parental satisfaction with acceptable safety outcomes in routine postoperative pediatric surgical care. Video capability and technical reliability are critical satisfaction drivers. These findings support integration of telemedicine into standard care pathways with attention to infrastructure quality and family-centered flexibility.