Telehealth Best Practices for Pediatric Healthcare Providers
1. Prioritize Patient and Family Engagement
Create a welcoming environment
Use bright colors and child-friendly visuals in your virtual background.
Speak their language
Simplify medical jargon and use terms that children and their parents can easily understand.
Interactive tools
Utilize interactive tools like polls or quizzes to keep children engaged during the consultation.
2. Ensure Technical Readiness
Test equipment beforehand
Make sure your camera, microphone, and internet connection are working properly.
Provide clear instructions
Send detailed instructions to families on how to access the telehealth platform.
Backup plans
Have a backup plan in case of technical difficulties, such as a phone call.
3. Maintain Privacy and Confidentiality
Secure platforms
Use HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms to protect patient information.
Private spaces
Conduct telehealth sessions in a private, quiet space to avoid interruptions and eavesdropping.
Educate families
Inform families about the importance of privacy and how to ensure it on their end.
4. Tailor the Approach to Age and Developmental Stage
Infants and toddlers
Engage parents more actively and use toys or songs to keep the child calm.
School-aged children
Use visual aids and interactive tools to explain medical concepts.
Adolescents
Respect their privacy and autonomy; address them directly and involve them in decision-making.
5. Foster a Therapeutic Relationship
Consistent follow-ups
Schedule regular follow-ups to build trust and continuity of care.
Active listening
Show empathy and listen actively to the concerns of both the child and their parents.
Personal connection
Share a little about yourself to make the interaction more personal and less clinical.
6. Leverage Digital Health Tools
Wearable devices
Use wearables to monitor vital signs remotely.
Mobile apps
Recommend apps for managing chronic conditions or tracking symptoms.
Educational resources
Provide digital resources to educate families about their child’s condition.
7. Address Behavioral and Mental Health
Screening tools
Use standardized screening tools to assess mental health.
Therapeutic techniques
Incorporate techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that can be adapted for virtual sessions.
Parental support
Offer guidance and support to parents on managing their child’s mental health.
8. Optimize Workflow and Documentation
Pre-visit planning
Review the patient’s history and prepare for the visit in advance.
Documentation templates
Use templates to streamline documentation and ensure all necessary information is captured.
Follow-up notes
Send follow-up notes and care plans to families after the visit.
9. Train and Educate Staff
Regular training
Conduct regular training sessions on telehealth protocols and technologies.
Role-playing
Use role-playing exercises to practice telehealth scenarios.
Feedback loops
Encourage staff to provide feedback and share best practices.
10. Evaluate and Improve
Patient feedback
Collect feedback from families after each visit to identify areas for improvement.
Performance metrics
Track metrics such as wait times, visit duration, and patient satisfaction.
Quality improvement
Implement quality improvement initiatives based on the data collected.
