The utilization of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic: An American Pediatric Surgical Association survey

BACKGROUND: Limited in-person visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, with liberal reimbursement policies, resulted in increased use of video conferencing (hereby described as telehealth) for patient care. To better understand the impact on pediatric surgeons and their patients, we surveyed members of the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) regarding telehealth use prior to and during the pandemic. METHODS: :An iteratively developed survey was sent to all active, non-trainee surgeons within APSA during March 2021. RESULTS: Of 247 responses (23% response rate), 154 (62%) began using telehealth during the pandemic. In addition to the 101 (60.5%) respondents who felt telehealth had a positive impact on their clinical practice, 161 (74.2%) felt that it had a positive impact on their patients’ satisfaction. The most common barriers to telehealth use prior to COVID-19 were availability of technology (39.3%), patient access to technology (36.0%), and lack of reimbursement (32.0%). These barriers became less substantial during the pandemic. Most respondents (95.3%) indicated they would continue using telehealth post-pandemic if it remains appropriately reimbursed. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of pediatric surgeons implemented telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and endorsed a positive effect on their clinical practice as well as on patient satisfaction. An overwhelming majority would continue using this technology if reimbursement policies remain favorable.