Five Things to Know About Pediatric Telehealth

Getting a child ready to leave the house can be a challenge. Getting a sick child to leave the house for a doctor’s appointment is even tougher, especially if the pediatric clinic is far away. With family convenience in mind, Arkansas Children's Pediatrics offers expert care through same-day telehealth visits.     

A telehealth visit allows a doctor to conduct an appointment with a patient virtually.   

Parker Davidson, M.D., pediatrician and medical director of Arkansas Children’s Pediatrics at the West Little Rock Clinic and assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, said Arkansas Children’s Pediatrics clinics in Little Rock and West Little Rock offer in-person and telehealth appointments with pediatricians and nurse practitioners. The West Little Rock clinic also has same-day, in-person sick visits.   

A parent or caregiver can schedule a telehealth appointment with an available Arkansas Children’s pediatrician through their online MyChart account or by calling 501-222-1690. A parent must specify if they prefer a telehealth visit. Not all pediatricians offer telehealth.  

Arkansas Children’s offers pediatric care at six locations across the state. Arkansas Children’s Pediatrics is unique for its team’s expertise, quick access to subspecialty care and insurance acceptance.   

“Our residency training is robust, and our experts have seen an exceptional number of conditions. One of the advantages of Arkansas Children’s Pediatrics is that we have access to all subspecialists within our health system. If we need to consult with a subspecialist during an appointment, we can chat with them instantly. This access leads to much quicker referrals within our two hospitals than with an outside pediatrician,” Dr. Davidson said. “We accept all insurance. I've had many patients who have tried to go to other pediatricians who do not accept their insurance plan, and it results in high out-of-pocket costs.”   

Dr. Davidson discussed the following five facts parents should know about telehealth:   

 

What is a telehealth appointment? 

A telehealth appointment is a virtual health care visit between a pediatrician, the pediatric patient and their parent or caregiver. The pediatrician visually assesses the patient and discusses the condition as if the appointment were in person. Arkansas Children’s uses the MyChart portal for a secure, HIPAA-compliant connection. Telehealth allows for non-emergency evaluations and diagnoses.   

"We use MyChart to send a link through the portal or via a text message. It uses an encrypted calling feature, so they are just as safe as having those encounters in the clinic,” Dr. Davidson said. “It creates a virtual clinic room.”   

 

What technology do I need for a telehealth appointment?  

A telehealth appointment requires an internet connection, and video and microphone capabilities through a computer webcam, tablet or smartphone. If the internet connection fails during an appointment and a video assessment of the patient has already taken place, Dr. Davidson said he will call the patient’s family and continue the appointment by phone. A parent or caregiver cannot drive during a virtual appointment.   

 

What happens during a routine telehealth appointment? 

A pediatrician will observe the patient and listen to symptoms, such as a unique-sounding cough. The expert will discuss the patient’s symptoms and history.   

“I can have the parent get the camera up close to the patient so I can see, for example, skin rashes. I can see if that child is working hard to breathe. There are a lot of little things we're trained to look for that we can see during a telehealth visit,” Dr. Davidson said.   

If a pediatrician suspects a child needs further testing, they will recommend that the patient visit the closest Arkansas Children’s Pediatrics clinic to their home. They can also observe if a child might require in-person or emergency care.   

“We can't diagnose things like the flu without a swab over the phone, but if we're suspicious of certain conditions and believe testing is necessary, we can always send those patients to the clinic just to have those tests. Instead of waiting for a room like a clinic visit, they typically go straight back for testing or X-rays,” Dr. Davidson said.     

What kinds of conditions or illnesses are appropriate for a telehealth appointment?    

Arkansas Children’s physicians can assess most common illnesses and conditions during a telehealth appointment. 

“Behavioral and mental health assessments are the quintessential telehealth visits. They are my favorite because when my patients with anxiety or depression come into the clinic, I can tell they're a little bit more reserved,” Dr. Davidson said. “But when I get to meet them at their house virtually, they're a lot more open to talking about what they’re experiencing.” 

Common conditions and symptoms appropriate for a telehealth appointment include:   

• Viral and upper respiratory illnesses, like croup  
• Fever   
• Congestion, cough, sore throat   
• Gastroenteritis (stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.)   
• ADHD, anxiety and depression (including follow-up appointments)   
• Dermatological conditions (acne, rash and other skin ailments) 

“Let's say you have a 3-year-old that is having a cough and congestion, and the parent is also sick with the same symptoms, that is an excellent condition to see via telehealth, because we're likely not going to swab that patient in the hospital or in the clinic, because it doesn't change the treatment,” Dr. Davidson said. “Telehealth saves the family a trip to the clinic, which is fantastic because I have a lot of patient families who drive 40-plus minutes just to get to our clinic. When I can see them virtually, it's nice to be able to provide any necessary guidance, medication prescriptions or simply reassurance.”  

Providers should see infants in person, with telehealth appropriate for patients aged 2 years or older. Broken bones or other bone abnormalities should be evaluated in person, along with difficulty breathing or severe shortness of breath. Emergencies are not appropriate for telehealth and require in-person care.   

For parents unsure if telehealth is appropriate, reach out to Arkansas Children’s Pediatrics.   

What are the benefits of telehealth at Arkansas Children’s Pediatrics?  

Telehealth is convenient and faster, making scheduling easier and eliminating travel time. Virtual appointments typically last between five and 15 minutes. Behavioral and mental health assessments can be more time-consuming.   

“We get to see that patient in their element where they're most comfortable. When it's a quick, relatively straightforward diagnosis, we can get the patient treatment quicker than if they had to drive all the way to the clinic and then back home, which I think is a great benefit of telehealth,” Dr. Davidson said. 

* This article was written by the Arkansas Children’s content team and medically reviewed by Parker Davidson, M.D.