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Child neurology telemedicine: Analyzing 14 820 patient encounters during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Source :
-
Developmental medicine and child neurology [Dev Med Child Neurol] 2023 Mar; Vol. 65 (3), pp. 406-415. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Sep 16. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Aim: To determine the long-term impact of telemedicine in child neurology care during the COVID-19 pandemic and with the reopening of outpatient clinics.<br />Method: We performed an observational cohort study of 34 837 in-person visits and 14 820 telemedicine outpatient visits across 26 399 individuals. We assessed differences in care across visit types, time-period observed, time between follow-ups, patient portal activation rates, and demographic factors.<br />Results: We observed a higher proportion of telemedicine for epilepsy (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision G40: odds ratio [OR] 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-1.5) and a lower proportion for movement disorders (G25: OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6-0.8; R25: OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6-0.9) relative to in-person visits. Infants were more likely to be seen in-person after reopening clinics than by telemedicine (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5-1.8) as were individuals with neuromuscular disorders (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5-1.7). Self-reported racial and ethnic minority populations and those with highest social vulnerability had lower telemedicine participation rates (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.8-0.8; OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.7-0.8).<br />Interpretation: Telemedicine continued to be utilized even once in-person clinics were available. Pediatric epilepsy care can often be performed using telemedicine while young patients with neuromuscular disorders often require in-person assessment. Prominent barriers for socially vulnerable families and racial and ethnic minorities persist.<br /> (© 2022 Mac Keith Press.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1469-8749
- Volume :
- 65
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Developmental medicine and child neurology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38767061
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.15406