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Review
. 2022;8(4):309-324.
doi: 10.1007/s40746-022-00258-7. Epub 2022 Sep 22.

Impact of Technologic Innovation and COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Cardiology Telehealth

Sanket S Shah  1 , Amulya Buddhavarapu  1 , Majid Husain  2 , Craig Sable  3 , Gary Satou  2
Affiliations
Review

Impact of Technologic Innovation and COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Cardiology Telehealth

Sanket S Shah et al. Curr Treat Options Pediatr. 2022.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Established telehealth practices in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology are evolving rapidly. This review examines several concepts in contemporary telemedicine in our field: recent changes in direct-to-consumer (DTC) pediatric telehealth (TH) and practice based on lessons learned from the pandemic, scientific data from newer technological innovations in pediatric cardiology, and how TH is shaping global pediatric cardiology practice.

Recent findings: In 2020, the global pandemic of COVID-19 led to significant changes in healthcare delivery. The lockdown and social distancing guidelines accelerated smart adaptations and pivots to ensure continued pediatric care albeit in a virtual manner. Remote cardiac monitoring technology is continuing to advance at a rapid pace secondary to advances in the areas of Internet access, portable hand-held devices, and artificial intelligence.

Summary: TH should be approached programmatically by pediatric cardiac healthcare providers with careful selection of patients, technology platforms, infrastructure setup, documentation, and compliance. Payment parity with in-person visits should be advocated and legislated. Newer remote cardiac monitoring technology should be expanded for objective assessment and optimal outcomes. TH continues to be working beyond geographical boundaries in pediatric cardiology and should continue to expand and develop.

Keywords: Digital; Global telehealth; Pediatric cardiology; Post-pandemic telemedicine; Telehealth.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestsSanket S. Shah declares no competing interests. Amulya Buddhavarapu declares no competing interests. Majid Husain declares no competing interests. Craig Sable declares no competing interests. Gary Satou declares no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Number of ambulatory clinic visits at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO, vs weeks from December 31, 2019, to December 29, 2020. The blue line represents total visits, and the orange line represents the number of telehealth visits (mostly DTC). Note that the two lines are closest between mid-March 2020 to mid-May 2020 suggesting higher percentage of clinic visits (nearly 65%) being TH visits during that time. Image courtesy: Morgan Waller, Director of Telemedicine program at Children’s Mercy Hospital
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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