Evaluating the Feasibility of Utilizing Telehealth With Youth in Foster Care

Abstract

Children in foster care are a highly vulnerable population. Consistent care, medication adherence, and clinic engagement are difficult with this population. This study evaluated the use of a telehealth initiative for youth in foster care utilizing a retrospective chart review to compare medication adherence and clinic engagement between 2 groups: those who had a 2-week follow-up telehealth visit and those who did not have a telehealth visit. Although participation in telehealth visit was promising, no differences in medication adherence and clinic engagement were identified between the 2 groups. Of interest, despite multiple barriers to care, families were actively engaged in the telehealth visits and expressed satisfaction with usage. Group home placements were also identified as having better engagement with telehealth visits compared with foster home placements. Further research is needed to explore the use of telehealth with youth in foster care to improve medication adherence and clinic engagement as well as broader health outcomes for this vulnerable population.