Perceptions About the Role of Tele-Health in Treating Pediatric Epilepsy
Gogi Kumar1, Laura Fonseca1, Elissa Yozawitz2, Charuta Joshi3, Clare Skora4, Nassim Zecavati5, Sucheta Joshi6, Elizabeth Ng7
1Dayton Children's Hospital, 2Neurology, Children's Hospital of Montefiore, 3Neurology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, 4Neurology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, 5Neurology, Children's Hospital of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia, 6Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, LA, California, 7Connecticut Children's Medical Center
Objective:

To compare the perceptions about the future of telehealth utilization in a cohort of pediatric epilepsy providers.

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated an unprecedented growth of telehealth services; however, it continues to evolve and is fraught with many uncertainties. 

Design/Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional survey study in 2021 and 2024 in collaboration with the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium (PERC), Telehealth Special Interest Group. The survey was distributed electronically and anonymously via REDCap from 09/2021 to 02/2022 and from 06/2024 to 08/2024. Topics included, equity, advantages and barriers of using telehealth, physician wellness, and practice patterns.  
Results:

The 2021 survey was completed by 29 providers and 53 providers completed the 2024 survey. Compared to phone visits, there was a significant increase of centers using only video visits from 2021 (41.4%) to 2024 (67.9%). Both surveys identified, school related concerns and seizure action plans as the most discussed topics during telehealth visits. Reviewing test results and discussing change in treatment plan increased in 2024 (92.5% and 96.2%) compared to 2021 (48.3% and 79.3%). Both surveys indicated difficulty with audio/visual connection and digital literacy of patient/family as major barriers to telehealth. More providers agreed telehealth provided equitable health care in 2024 (83%) versus 2021 (51.7%). In 2021, 62.1% of providers were aware of state laws around parity for telehealth versus in 2024 (30.2%).  In 2024, three main advantages of telehealth identified were 1) removal of transportation barriers, 2) better resource utilization and 3) increased ease of access for patients/families with children with disability. Fewer providers viewed lack of infrastructure as a barrier in 2024 (11.3%) compared to 2021 (32%). 

Conclusions:

Telehealth continues to be an important method of care delivery for pediatric patients with epilepsy post- COVID.  

10.1212/WNL.0000000000209103
Disclaimer: Abstracts were not reviewed by Neurology® and do not reflect the views of Neurology® editors or staff.