Telemedicine utilization by pediatric ophthalmologists during the COVID-19 pandemic

J AAPOS. 2021 Sep 29:S1091-8531(21)00540-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2021.05.018. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Understanding provider perspectives on telemedicine adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic can help inform best practices for delivering pediatric ophthalmic care safely and remotely. In this online survey distributed to two national pediatric ophthalmology list-servs, respondents in July-August 2020 (n = 104) compared with respondents in March-April 2020 (n = 171) were more likely to report not using and not planning on using telemedicine. The July-August respondents who did not use telemedicine were concerned about the limitations in care provided, challenges with implementation, and perceived negative effects on the doctor-patient relationship. These findings demonstrate a lack of sustained uptake of telemedicine in the first 6 months of the pandemic and concerns that should be addressed to facilitate integration of this approach in pediatric ophthalmic care.

PMID:34600105 | DOI:10.1016/j.jaapos.2021.05.018