Satisfaction with pediatric telehealth according to the opinions of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A literature review

ObjectiveTo review satisfaction with telehealth among children and adolescents based on their own opinions during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsIn the PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase databases, we searched for peer-reviewed studies in English on satisfaction with telehealth among children and adolescents (rather than parents). Both observational studies and interventions were eligible. The review was categorized as a mini review because it focused on the limited time frame of the COVID-19 pandemic. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Reviewers extracted information from each study and assessed risk of bias.ResultsA total of 14 studies were eligible. Studies were conducted in Australia, Canada, Italy, Israel, Poland, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They focused on a variety of health conditions. Two of the 14 studies were interventions. Participants expressed high satisfaction with video and telephone visits and home telemonitoring while also preferring a combination of in-person visits and telehealth services. Factors associated with higher satisfaction with telehealth included greater distance from the medical center, older age, and lower anxiety when using telehealth. In qualitative studies, preferred telehealth features among participants included: a stable Internet connection and anonymity and privacy during telehealth visits.ConclusionTelehealth services received favorable satisfaction ratings by children and adolescents. Randomized-controlled trials on the effectiveness of pediatric telehealth services compared to non-telehealth services may assess improvements in satisfaction and health outcomes

Knowledge, confidence, and reported behaviors that promote safe water drinking among women of reproductive age

IntroductionDrinking lead contaminated water during pregnancy is associated with infant mortality. All women of reproductive age are advised by health agencies to adhere to healthy behaviors due to the chance of unintended pregnancy. Our objectives are to understand knowledge, confidence, and reported behaviors that promote safe water drinking and prevent lead exposure among women of reproductive age.MethodsA survey among females of reproductive age from the University of Michigan - Flint was administered. A total of 83 females who wished to become pregnant one day participated.ResultsLow levels of knowledge, confidence, and reported preventative health behaviors related to safe water drinking and lead exposure prevention existed. Specifically, 71.1% of respondents (59 of 83) were not at all or were somewhat confident in their ability to choose an appropriate lead water filter. Most participants rated their knowledge on how to decrease exposure to lead during pregnancy as poor/fair. No statistically significant differences were detected between respondents residing inside and outside of the city of Flint, Michigan for most variables assessed.ConclusionWhile the small sample size is a limitation, the study adds to an area of scarce research. Despite widespread media attention and resources directed toward reducing the negative health effects of lead exposure following the Flint Water Crisis, significant gaps in knowledge related to safe water drinking remain. Interventions are needed to increase knowledge, confidence, and healthy behaviors that promote safe water drinking among women of reproductive age

Health Communication in Neonatal Intensive Care: Results of Focus Groups or Interviews with Parents, Nurses and Physicians

Background and Purpose: Health communication interventions to successfully promote satisfaction with care among parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are limited. This study investigated strategies for effective health communication in the NICU through focus groups with parents and nurses, and individual interviews with neonatologists. Methods: Eight parents, seventeen nurses, and three neonatologists from one NICU in Genesee County, Michigan participated. Results: Parents expressed a preference for daily, face-to-face communication with the physician. They recommended the use of visual aids to help with understanding infants� conditions. One such aid would be a baby diary to serve as the infant�s daily progress report for the parent to review during the visit. A communication strategy used by nurses was providing parents with the most up-to-date information in an approachable, reassuring manner. Physicians suggested interactive communication practice sessions as strategies to increase effective communication between physicians and parents. Physician-to-nurse strategies consisted of building trustworthy relationships by holding scientific forums, discussing health care disagreements, and accepting differing opinions. Conclusion: Future research may assess the influence of strategies recommended in this study on parental satisfaction with care and adherence to treatment recommendations as well as on health care provider self-efficacy

Satisfaction With Telehealth Services Compared With Nontelehealth Services Among Pediatric Patients and Their Caregivers: Systematic Review of the Literature

BackgroundTelehealth refers to the use of technology to deliver health care remotely. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an increase in telehealth services. ObjectiveThis study aimed to review satisfaction with pediatric care in studies that had at least one group of pediatric patients and their caregivers receiving telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic and at least one comparison group of those receiving nontelehealth services. MethodsWe searched for peer-reviewed studies published in the English language that compared the satisfaction with pediatric care between pediatric patients and their caregivers receiving telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic and those receiving nontelehealth services. Owing to stay-at-home orders, studies with comparison groups for nontelehealth services that took place either before or during the pandemic were eligible. We searched the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases on January 5, 2023. We followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A total of 2 reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts before reviewing the full text of the remaining articles. The following information was extracted from each eligible study: country, participant characteristics by comparison group, study design, telehealth approach, measurement tools to assess satisfaction, and findings by comparison group. ResultsAll 14 eligible studies assessed satisfaction among caregivers and pediatric patients participating in video or telephone visits during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with those having in-person appointments either before or during the pandemic. In 5 of the 14 studies, a comparison of nontelehealth services took place before the pandemic, and in the remaining 9 investigations, nontelehealth services took place during the pandemic. A total of 13 studies were observational investigations with different designs, and 1 study was a quasi-experimental intervention with 3 comparison groups for video, in-person, and hybrid visits. In 9 of the 14 studies, satisfaction with telehealth services was higher than during in-person visits. Caregivers were satisfied with video visits for the ease of use and reduced need for transportation. Reasons caregivers were not satisfied with remote care included limited personal interaction with the provider, technological challenges, and a lack of physical examination. Those participating in nontelehealth services expressed that in-person interactions promoted treatment adherence. Only 1 study assessed satisfaction where adolescent patients completed their own surveys; a higher percentage of adolescents using telehealth services reported effective communication with the provider compared with patients using in-person visits. ConclusionsIn most studies, telehealth services received more favorable or comparable satisfaction ratings than in-person visits. Needed improvements in telehealth services included strategies to address technological challenges and develop better rapport among the patient, caregiver, and medical provider. Interventions may investigate the influence of telehealth services on access to and quality of care

Telehealth Use in Pediatric Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study on the Perspectives of Caregivers

This qualitative study surveyed caregivers regarding their perspectives on the benefits of, challenges with, and suggestions for improving telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Caregivers who had the responsibility for caring for at least one child aged under 18 years of age in Genesee County, MI, participated. The caregivers were biological parents, stepparents, foster parents, adoptive parents, and guardians. A total of 105 caregivers completed a survey with open-ended questions via Qualtrics. Two independent coders developed themes based on the responses using grounded theory. Participants were primarily biological parents and non-Hispanic White and African Americans. According to the participants, the benefits of telehealth included prevention of exposure to the COVID-19 virus, quality communication with physicians, savings in travel time, and cost-effective methods to receive care. The challenges included a lack of in-person interaction, fear of compromised confidentiality, and the potential for misdiagnosis. Suggestions for improvement by caregivers included increasing access to telehealth for poorer families, offering a media educational campaign to promote telehealth use, and creating a universal platform to share patient information. Future studies may test the effectiveness of interventions such as those suggested by caregivers in this study to improve telehealth