Families Chose In-Person Visits over Telehealth for Pediatric Weight Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Child Obes. 2022 Dec;18(8):572-575. doi: 10.1089/chi.2022.0005. Epub 2022 Apr 6.

Abstract

Background: With the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, telehealth was implemented as a method of care delivery in many pediatric weight management programs (PWMPs). To compare patient/family preference of telehealth vs. in-person visits, we analyzed patient visits during a period when families were given the option of scheduling in-person or telehealth visits for both new and follow-up visits during the pandemic. Methods: A retrospective review was done of our center's electronic medical record of patient visits from July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Results: There were 1356 completed PWMP visits, with 977 (72.1%) done in-person and 379 (27.9%) done by telehealth. Telehealth was selected more often for follow-up visits (31.4%) compared with new visits (18.8%) [odds ratio (OR) = 2.052, p = 0.008]. Black patients (30.5%) selected telehealth more often than White patients (26.1%, OR = 1.371; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Although telehealth increases flexibility and increases options to families, in-person clinic visits seem to be preferred especially for an initial visit.

Keywords: COVID-19; obesity; pediatric weight management; telehealth.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Nutrition Therapy*
  • Pandemics
  • Pediatric Obesity* / epidemiology
  • Pediatric Obesity* / therapy
  • Telemedicine*