Telehealth services for cardiac neurodevelopmental care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a site survey from the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative

• Authors: Nadine A Kasparian, Cincinnati Children’s Center for Heart Disease; Anjali Sadhwani, Harvard Medical School; Renee Sananes, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto; Elizabeth Blumenfeld, Mended Little Hearts; Jennifer L Butcher, University of Michigan; Adam R Cassidy, Harvard Medical School; Stephany M Cox, University of California San Francisco; Joslyn Kenowitz, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children; Thomas A Miller, Maine Medical Center, Portland; Jacqueline H Sanz, Children’s National Hospital, Washington; Kelly R Wolfe, University of Colorado Denver; Dawn Ilardi, Emory University
• Journal Title: CARDIOLOGY IN THE YOUNG
• Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS | 2022-02-24, Pages 1-8
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1017/S1047951122000579
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Rehabilitation and Therapy; Health Sciences, Mental Health
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems; Pediatrics; Cardiovascular System & Cardiology; CHD; COVID-19; pandemic; telehealth; neurodevelopment; disparities; PARENTING SKILLS PROGRAM; TELEMENTAL HEALTH; CHILDREN; FEASIBILITY; TRIAL; HOME

Abstract

Objective: COVID-19 has markedly impacted the provision of neurodevelopmental care. In response, the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative (CNOC) established a Task Force to assess the telehealth practices of cardiac neurodevelopmental programs during COVID-19, including adaptation of services, test protocols and interventions, and perceived obstacles, disparities, successes, and training needs. Study Design: A 47-item online survey was sent to 42 CNOC member sites across North America within a 3-week timeframe (22 July to 11 August 2020) to collect cross-sectional data on practices. Results: Of the 30 participating sites (71.4% response rate), all were providing at least some clinical services at the time of the survey and 24 sites (80%) reported using telehealth. All but one of these sites were offering new telehealth services in response to COVID-19, with the most striking change being the capacity to offer new intervention services for children and their caregivers. Only a third of sites were able to carry out standardized, performance-based, neurodevelopmental testing with children and adolescents using telehealth, and none had completed comparable testing with infants and toddlers. Barriers associated with language, child ability, and access to technology were identified as contributing to disparities in telehealth access. Conclusions: Telehealth has enabled continuation of at least some cardiac neurodevelopmental services during COVID-19, despite the challenges experienced by providers, children, families, and health systems. CNOC provides a unique platform for sharing challenges and successes across sites, as we continue to shape an evidence-based, efficient, and consistent approach to the care of individuals with CHD.