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Maternal and Child Health Journal

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27-10-2023 | Telemedicine | From the Field

Developing Workforce Skills and Capacity in Telehealth: What LEND Trainees Need to Know

Authors: Michael Bray, Jane Turner, Sean Jones, Tazia Miah, Sharon Milberger

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 2/2024

Abstract

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the way health-related services are delivered, rapidly shifting from in-person to telehealth visits. To ensure that future healthcare providers are fully prepared to deliver services to families of youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD), understanding telehealth’s advantages and barriers is vital. To this end, data were gathered to inform the development of a nationally available telehealth curriculum aimed at training future healthcare professionals from the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) network.

Methods

Surveys were sent out nationally to current LEND trainees, practicing healthcare professionals, and family members of youth with NDD in November of 2020. Multiple choice and free response questions were completed and analyzed. A total of N = 208 surveys were completed (88 LEND trainees, 94 practicing professionals, 23 family members).

Results

Most survey respondents reported having positive experiences with telehealth. LEND trainees and current healthcare professionals cited increased access to care and engagement as the top benefit of telehealth. Most family members reported using telehealth services (78%) and felt it was superior to in-person visits in terms of location of visit, scheduling, and meeting transportation needs. Trainees and professionals agreed the top barriers to telehealth for families were lack of broadband access and complexity of implementation and use. LEND trainees agreed telehealth basics should be included in LEND curriculum.

Discussion

Trainees, professionals, and family members all agreed that knowing the basics of telehealth is essential for effective telehealth service delivery. Emerging healthcare professionals need to understand how those they will be serving engage with technology, their levels of experience in this area, and effective strategies for engaging children and youth with NDD through telehealth. This will bridge the engagement gap many families of children with disabilities face when not meeting in person. Findings from this study contributed to the design of learning materials that currently support LEND trainees across the country in developing these skills.

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Title: Developing Workforce Skills and Capacity in Telehealth: What LEND Trainees Need to Know
Authors: Michael Bray
Jane Turner
Sean Jones
Tazia Miah
Sharon Milberger
Publication date: 27-10-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: Telemedicine
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 2/2024
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-023-03794-2

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Developing Workforce Skills and Capacity in Telehealth: What LEND Trainees Need to Know

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

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