Despite the lack of a consensus about the definition of telehealth and similar labels (e.g., telemedicine), usually, it refers to healthcare activities (both assessment and intervention) provided at a distance that involve either healthcare professionals and/or patients and their families. It does not represent a new research field, however, it has received a strong boost in terms of both research and application during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, it represented a precious strategy to guarantee continuity of care of pediatric patients and their family during this unprecedented healthcare crisis. Telehealth approaches have potentialities to address not only acute crises but also “historical” healthcare problems: breaking down geographical distances may support the delivery of more efficient interventions, reducing costs for both families and healthcare systems, reducing care access inequalities and waiting lists. However, these approach poses also new specific challenges (e.g., data management, adaptation of clinical or rehabilitative materials, patient and family engagement). In this scenario, the research and clinical experience developed in adapting assessment strategies and interventions through telehealth should be capitalized.
The present Research Topic aims to collect evidence about telehealth strategies that were feasible, effective, and efficient for the pediatric population and their families. It will collect evidence about both telehealth assessments, developmental follow-ups, and supportive interventions. Studies that adopted a family-centered approach will be particularly appreciated.
Therefore, we welcome submissions that focus on telehealth assessment, developmental follow-up, and intervention in the pediatric population in any of the following: original research, systematic reviews, clinical trials, methods articles, brief research reports.
Despite the lack of a consensus about the definition of telehealth and similar labels (e.g., telemedicine), usually, it refers to healthcare activities (both assessment and intervention) provided at a distance that involve either healthcare professionals and/or patients and their families. It does not represent a new research field, however, it has received a strong boost in terms of both research and application during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, it represented a precious strategy to guarantee continuity of care of pediatric patients and their family during this unprecedented healthcare crisis. Telehealth approaches have potentialities to address not only acute crises but also “historical” healthcare problems: breaking down geographical distances may support the delivery of more efficient interventions, reducing costs for both families and healthcare systems, reducing care access inequalities and waiting lists. However, these approach poses also new specific challenges (e.g., data management, adaptation of clinical or rehabilitative materials, patient and family engagement). In this scenario, the research and clinical experience developed in adapting assessment strategies and interventions through telehealth should be capitalized.
The present Research Topic aims to collect evidence about telehealth strategies that were feasible, effective, and efficient for the pediatric population and their families. It will collect evidence about both telehealth assessments, developmental follow-ups, and supportive interventions. Studies that adopted a family-centered approach will be particularly appreciated.
Therefore, we welcome submissions that focus on telehealth assessment, developmental follow-up, and intervention in the pediatric population in any of the following: original research, systematic reviews, clinical trials, methods articles, brief research reports.