Telehealth for Pediatric Epilepsy: Improving Care and Access

Source: Frontiers in public health

Summary

Researchers studied how remote follow-up care, like video or phone visits, can help manage pediatric epilepsy. They looked at various studies and guidelines from 2019 to 2025 that focused on children with epilepsy. The goal was to understand how these remote visits could support ongoing care, especially in situations where families face challenges like travel difficulties or limited access to specialists.

The key findings showed that for children already diagnosed with epilepsy, remote visits can effectively help with medication adjustments, checking for side effects, and reviewing seizure diaries. These remote appointments can work just as well as in-person visits for these tasks. However, they are not suitable for new diagnoses or urgent issues that need a physical examination. The study emphasized that while remote care can ease some burdens, it should not completely replace in-person visits, and careful planning is needed to ensure it is done safely and effectively.

This research is important because it highlights a way to improve care for children with epilepsy while considering the challenges some families face. However, there are limitations, such as the risk that families with less access to technology or language barriers may not benefit equally from remote care. The study suggests that to make remote follow-up work better for everyone, there should be support systems in place, like providing devices or language assistance, and ongoing monitoring to ensure quality care is maintained.

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