Can We Expand the Pool of Youth Who Receive Telehealth Assessments for ADHD? Covariates of Service Utilization. Issue 2 (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pritchard, Alison E.; Northrup, Rachel A.; Peterson, Rachel; Lieb, Rebecca; Wexler, Danielle; Ng, Rowena; Kalb, Luke; Ludwig, Natasha; Jacobson, Lisa A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 27:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 159
• Page End: 168
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: ADHD -- assessment -- telehealth -- COVID-19 -- healthcare disparities; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/10870547221129304
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth became widely utilized for healthcare, including psychological evaluations. However, whether telehealth has reduced or exacerbated healthcare disparities for children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) remains unclear. Methods: Data (race, ethnicity, age, insurance type, ADHD presentation, comorbidities, and distance to clinic) for youth with ADHD ( M age = 10.97, SDage = 3.42; 63.71% male; 51.62% White) were extracted from the medical record at an urban academic medical center. Three naturally occurring groups were compared: those evaluated in person prior to COVID-19 ( n =780), in person during COVID-19 ( n = 839), and via telehealth during COVID-19 ( n = 638). Results: Children seen via telehealth were significantly more likely to be older, White, have fewer comorbid conditions, and live farther from the clinic than those seen in person. Conclusions: The current study suggests that telehealth has not eliminated barriers to care for disadvantaged populations. Providers and institutions must take action to encourage telehealth use among these groups.