Telehealth Use in Pediatric Care Peaks and Falls Post-Pandemic

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals significant trends in telehealth usage among pediatric patients in the Bronx before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted by a team led by Dr. Chloe Teasdale, an associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, the research highlights a dramatic rise and subsequent decline in virtual healthcare consultations for children.

The retrospective cohort study analyzed data from over 680,000 pediatric primary care visits between 2020 and 2023. Telehealth appointments soared to 70.5% of all visits in April 2020, coinciding with the initial wave of the pandemic. In contrast, by 2023, this figure plummeted to just 1.9%, reflecting an annual decrease of 11%. The findings underscore a significant shift in how pediatric healthcare was delivered during and after the height of the pandemic.

Key Demographics and Trends in Telehealth Usage

The study found that telehealth was most utilized during the early months of the pandemic, specifically in March and August 2020, where 34.7% of pediatric visits were conducted virtually. Interestingly, the data indicates that during this peak period, Hispanic children and those from lower-income neighborhoods were more likely to engage with telehealth services, despite prevailing challenges related to healthcare equity.

As the pandemic progressed, adolescents aged 15 to 18 exhibited the highest rates of telehealth usage, with 46.0% attending at least one virtual visit in 2020. However, the landscape shifted by 2023, when non-Hispanic white children and those from higher-income areas became more prevalent among telehealth users, reversing the earlier trends observed during the pandemic.

Disparities and Future Research Directions

The authors of the study highlight ongoing disparities in healthcare access and usage patterns, calling for further investigation into the preferences of children and healthcare providers regarding telehealth. They emphasize the need to understand the impact of virtual consultations on health outcomes as the healthcare sector continues to adapt post-pandemic.

Dr. Teasdale and her colleagues advocate for comprehensive research to address the changing landscape of pediatric healthcare delivery, aiming to ensure equitable access to telehealth services for all demographics. With the evolving nature of healthcare technology, understanding these patterns is crucial for developing effective strategies to meet the needs of children in a post-COVID world.

As telehealth continues to play a role in pediatric care, the findings from this study serve as a critical reminder of the importance of accessibility and the need for continuous evaluation of healthcare practices. More information about the study can be found in the article by Chloe A. Teasdale et al titled “Telehealth Use in Primary Care Pediatrics During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic,” published in JAMA Network Open in 2025.