The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the landscape of healthcare services, particularly for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. A recent study titled "Accessing hearing-health services for deaf and hard-of-hearing children during the COVID-19 pandemic: Parent and child perspectives" provides valuable insights into how telehealth services were utilized and perceived during this period. As practitioners dedicated to improving outcomes for children, understanding these findings can guide us in enhancing our telehealth practices.
The study, conducted by Mardinli et al. (2022), surveyed 497 families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children aged 0.4 to 19.6 years. The results were compelling, with 62% of the 1152 services accessed via telehealth. However, the study also highlighted several challenges and facilitators experienced by families.
Key Findings
The research revealed the following critical points:
- 52.1% of parents reported that their child found telehealth appointments more difficult compared to in-person sessions.
- 55.9% of parents perceived the quality of telehealth services to be worse than in-person services.
- These difficulties were more pronounced in pre-school children compared to school-age children.
Challenges in Telehealth
Parents identified several barriers to effective telehealth services:
- Technical Issues: Poor internet connectivity and unfamiliarity with technology were significant hurdles.
- Engagement: Keeping young children engaged during telehealth sessions was more challenging than in-person interactions.
- Quality of Interaction: The absence of physical presence made it difficult to gauge non-verbal cues and maintain attention.
Facilitators of Successful Telehealth
Despite the challenges, the study also identified factors that facilitated successful telehealth sessions:
- Parental Involvement: Active participation of parents during sessions helped bridge the gap between therapist and child.
- Flexibility: Telehealth offered flexible scheduling, which was appreciated by many families.
- Resource Availability: Providing families with resources and training on how to use telehealth platforms improved the overall experience.
Implementing Research Findings
To enhance telehealth services for deaf and hard-of-hearing children, practitioners can implement the following strategies:
- Improve Technical Support: Ensure families have access to reliable internet and provide technical support to troubleshoot issues.
- Engagement Techniques: Develop interactive and engaging activities tailored for young children to keep them involved during sessions.
- Parental Training: Educate parents on how to effectively support their children during telehealth sessions.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Regularly collect feedback from families to identify areas for improvement and adapt services accordingly.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study provides a foundational understanding, further research is essential to continue improving telehealth services. Areas for future research include:
- Long-term impacts of telehealth on speech and language development.
- Comparative studies between telehealth and in-person services post-pandemic.
- Innovative technologies to enhance telehealth experiences.
As practitioners, staying informed and adaptive is crucial. By leveraging research findings and continuously seeking improvements, we can ensure that telehealth services provide high-quality care for deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Accessing hearing-health services for deaf and hard-of-hearing children during the COVID-19 pandemic: Parent and child perspectives.
