Provision of telehealth services to pediatric clients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review related to health outcomes

Objective

The objective was to conduct a scoping review of interventions on health outcomes among pediatric populations with a variety of health conditions with comparison groups where at least one group was receiving telehealth services during a period within the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Utilizing the PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, and CINAHL databases, peer-reviewed studies in English on health outcomes following interventions where at least one group was receiving telehealth services were identified. Interventions could have either quasi-experimental designs with at least two groups or randomized designs. No limitations were placed on the health outcomes included in this review. Studies were restricted to those conducted during a period within the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., published until December 5, 2022). The reporting in this registered scoping review was guided by the standards of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Statement Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). For the purpose of data charting, information on participant descriptive characteristics and intervention strategies, outcomes, and findings was extracted.

Results

Ten articles met the criteria from our search on December 5, 2022. Various conditions were represented, such as autism spectrum disorder, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Tourette syndrome, and other physical, mental, and developmental disorders. A total of 4 studies were randomized-controlled trials (RCTs), and the remaining 6 had quasi-experimental designs. Comparison groups received in-person visits, mixed-mode services, different telehealth services, or wait-list interventions. In 6 out of the 8 studies with defined outcomes that were quantified, children receiving telehealth services had statistically significant better health outcomes compared to those in control groups. In 2 of these 8 studies, children receiving telehealth services had either better though not statistically significant health outcomes or had similar health outcomes compared to those in control groups. Examples of health outcome improvements with telehealth use were lower hyperactivity levels, increased muscular strength, and a decrease in tic severity.

Conclusion

Health outcome improvements with telehealth use tended to be similar to or superior than those in the control group. Additional investigations, especially RCTs, are advised.