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Establishing Best Practices in Telehealth Care for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in the United States: An e-Delphi Study
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Establishing Best Practices in Telehealth Care for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in the United States: An e-Delphi Study

Melissa L. Desroches, Judith Stych, Gregory Bannett, Rachel Guttentag, Sarah H. Ailey and Kathleen Fisher
Telemedicine journal and e-health, v 30(8), pp e2373-e2382
01 Aug 2024
PMID: 38919995
url
https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2023.0547View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Health Care Sciences & Services Life Sciences & Biomedicine Science & Technology
Background: Telehealth care is now a key element of mainstream health care since the COVID-19 pandemic, with all types of health care providers joining the digital revolution. As a population experiencing health care disparities, adults with developmental disabilities and their supporters have described variable experiences with telehealth care that contribute to overall care quality and health outcomes.Methods: This e-Delphi study established consensus on best practices in telehealth care for adults with developmental disabilities in the United States. Online surveys and videoconferencing interviews were conducted with 44 expert panelists with experience with telehealth care and developmental disabilities, including adults with developmental disabilities, family members, direct support professionals, nurses, and health care providers.Results: Three rounds of surveys resulted in a set of 9 guidelines consisting of 42 items. The guidelines addressed 1) appropriate situations for telehealth care, 2) communication needs and preferences, 3) support person collaboration, 4) education and anticipatory guidance, 5) reminders, 6) coordination of care, 7) equitable and fair access, 8) privacy and safety, and 9) evidence-based practice.Conclusion: Health care providers can adopt these best practice guidelines to ensure telehealth care is provided equitably and safely to adults with developmental disabilities. Policy advocacy is needed for the uptake of these guidelines and for health care providers and adults with developmental disabilities to access the resources needed for safe and effective telehealth care use.

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1 citations in Scopus

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Health Care Sciences & Services
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