292 - US Early and Midcareer Pediatricians’ Experiences with Telehealth in 2021

Poster Number: 292
Publication Number: 292.346

Mary Pat Frintner, American Academy of Pediatrics, Itasca, IL, United States; Alexander fiks, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Merion, PA, United States; Elizabeth A. Gottschlich, American Academy of Pediatrics, Itasca, IL, United States; Kristin Ray, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States

Background: Telehealth use for patient care surged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear how use varies across types of pediatric practice and practice area.

Objective: Compare pediatricians’ experiences with telehealth in 2021 by specialty (primary care vs subspecialist) and practice area.

Design/Methods: We analyzed national data collected in 2021 from the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study (PLACES), a longitudinal cohort study of early to midcareer pediatricians. Participants were asked if they used telehealth in the past month. Using a 4-point scale, participants rated the effectiveness of telehealth visits. Of 1355 participants, 937 completed the survey (69%), June-August 2021. Analytic sample included post-trainees providing primary or subspecialty care, n=666 (mean age=42 yrs). Chi-Square examined variations in experiences by specialty (primary care vs subspecialist) and practice area (inner city, urban, suburban, rural).

Results: 65% reported using telehealth for patient care in the past month (median monthly telehealth visits=10). Primary care pediatricians (78%) were more likely than subspecialists (46%) to report telehealth use in the past month, pConclusion(s): Most primary care pediatricians and about half of subspecialists used telehealth for patient care in the summer of 2021, across suburban, rural, inner city, and urban areas. Chronic disease management and mental health visits were among the most common telehealth visit type and rated as most effective.

Figure 1. Percentage of PLACES pediatricians using telehealth for patient care in the past month by specialty*