Is Telehealth the Right Choice for Sick Little Kids?

Study Finds Higher ER Visits After Virtual Appointments

A recent study suggests that for babies and toddlers, virtual doctor visits might not be the best choice.

Key Findings

• Study Scope: Nearly 283,000 kids in Ontario, Canada, aged 3 months to 2 years.
• Result: Kids with virtual visits were 50% more likely to end up in the emergency room within three days compared to in-person visits.

Why the Higher ER Visits?

• Communication Barriers: Young children can't always communicate their symptoms well.
• Missed Clues: Doctors might miss important clues during a virtual visit.
• Parental Anxiety: Parents might not feel reassured and seek a second opinion in the ER.

Older Kids Also Affected

• Age Group: Kids aged 2 to 17.
• Risk Increase: 19% higher risk of needing ER treatment after a virtual visit.

Expert Recommendations

• Consider In-Person Visits: If worried after a virtual appointment, parents should consider an in-person visit.
• Avoid Crowded ERs: In-person visits can help avoid crowded emergency rooms and ensure proper care.
• Manage Expectations: Parents should not assume that a virtual visit will always be enough to manage their child's illness at home.

Tools for Better Decision-Making

• Symptom Checkers: Some hospitals offer symptom checkers to guide families to the most appropriate care setting, whether it's virtual or in-person.