Child neurology telemedicine: Analyzing 14 820 patient encounters during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic. (16th September 2022) - Kaufman, Michael C.
Abstract: Aim: To determine the long‐term impact of telemedicine in child neurology care during the COVID‐19 pandemic and with the reopening of outpatient clinics. Method: We performed an observational cohort study of 34 837 in‐person visits and 14 820 telemedicine outpatient visits across 26 399 individuals. We assessed differences in care across visit types, time‐period observed, time between follow‐ups, patient portal activation rates, and demographic factors. Results: We observed a higher proportion of telemedicine for epilepsy (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision G40: odds ratio [OR] 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–1.5) and a lower proportion for movement disorders (G25: OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6–0.8; R25: OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6–0.9) relative to in‐person visits. Infants were more likely to be seen in‐person after reopening clinics than by telemedicine (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5–1.8) as were individuals with neuromuscular disorders (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5–1.7). Self‐reported racial and ethnic minority populations and those with highest social vulnerability had lower telemedicine participation rates (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.8–0.8; OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.7–0.8). Interpretation: Telemedicine continued to be utilized even once in‐person clinics were available. Pediatric epilepsy care can often be performed using telemedicine while young patients with neuromuscular disorders often require in‐person assessment. Prominent barriers for socially vulnerable families and racial and ethnic minorities persist. Abstract : This longitudinal study offers an unprecedented look into the impact of telemedicine on child neurology care and how it compares to in‐person encounters during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic.