Telemedicine in Pediatric Gastroenterology: An Overview of Utility

Abstract

Background: The availability of pediatric subspecialty services is a problem evident throughout the United States. Access to pediatric gastroenterology services, especially in rural areas, can be scarce. Telemedicine has been proposed as a tool capable of decreasing healthcare costs while extending medical care.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to review available literature regarding the utility of telemedicine as it applies to pediatric gastroenterology, specifically its role in eliminating healthcare disparities.

Methods: Research articles were identified through a PubMed search with key words focusing on telemedicine initiatives in pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric subspecialty, rural pediatric care, and adult gastroenterology. Studies were categorized based on the following areas of application: financial, time management, communication/community, and patient health and satisfaction.

Results: We reached the conclusion that evidence-supported trends in available literature provide a framework for pediatric gastroenterology telemedicine initiatives that can provide resource-sparing, community-enriching, and physician-improving services that ultimately serve to better patient health.

Keywords: gastroenterology; pediatrics; rural; subspecialty; telehealth; telemedicine.