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According to a new study, pediatric telemedicine visits are being used more and more, but they could lead to overprescription of antibiotics.
New study from Pittsburgh UPMC Children's Hospital published in newspaper Pediatrics, Children with acute respiratory infections were more often prescribed antibiotics for pediatric telemedicine visits than face-to-face primary care appointments or urgent care visits.
How common is telemedicine?
Ray, also an badistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine, added, "Insurers are offering more and more telemedicine services – 96% of large companies now offer coverage – so millions of children now have access to telemedicine. and our previous work revealed that usage was increasing rapidly. "
Does pediatric telemedicine lead to excessive prescribing of antibiotics?
Research has shown that:
- Children received antibiotics during 52% of telemedicine visits;
- 42% received them during urgent care visits; and
- 31% received them during visits to a primary care provider.
The researchers also stated that, compared to primary and emergency care visits, antibiotic prescriptions received as a result of telemedicine visits were less likely to be consistent with clinical guidelines.
Unnecessary use of antibiotics or wider use than necessary could result in side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Analysis of pediatric telemedicine
Lead author Kristin Ray, MD, MS, pediatrician of the General University Pediatric Division of UPMC Children's Hospital, said: "In recent years, the use of telemedicine for primary care has increased at home. the children. We know very little about the care that children receive during these telemedicine visits directly to consumers, which take place at doctors' homes outside the child's usual pediatric office. "
Ensure that advances in technology maintain the quality of pediatric care
Ray concludes: "As a pediatrician general, I want to make care easier and less expensive for families. I think many technological innovations aim to do this, but I think it's also important to ensure quality care that kids receive remains high.
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