Factors Influencing Telehealth Use in School-based Health Services: Secondary Analysis from a Scoping Review

Abstract

Introduction: Although telehealth use in schools can address gaps in service access, implementation in the school setting lags. This study describes factors that influence implementation of telehealth in school health services.

Methods: A protocol was published a priori. Using scoping review methods, articles were sought in five academic databases pertaining to regulated health providers' use of telehealth in kindergarten to grade 12 schools. Two reviewers completed source selection and data extraction. Data were charted to the diffusion of innovations theory and content analysis performed.

Results: Of 6585 unique sources considered, 70 articles were included. Multiple factors were described influencing telehealth implementation in schools. The most salient factors reported for successful implementation included provider training, access to reliable technology, availability of an e-helper, and policies to support ethical telehealth delivery.

Conclusion: Telehealth use in schools is increasing; however, successful implementation requires planning that considers how and why such innovations are adopted.

Keywords: Children; Diffusion of innovations; Implementation; School; Scoping review.

Figure 1

PRISMA Flow Chart for Source Selection Note. Reprinted from “A scoping review of telehealth in school-based health services: Characteristics of telehealth use” by Knobl et al., 2024 (https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/t2chx)

Figure 2

Percentage Distribution of Diffusion of Innovation Categories and Subcategories Across Included Articles Note. Obs = Observability. Adopter = Adopter Categories. Indirect Cons = Indirect Consequences. Infl = Influencers. Percentages reported followed by n of 70 articles.