Promoting telehealth knowledge, attitudes, and practice by an interprofessional online course

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The needs and challenges of community-based child development units transitioning to telehealth, starting with the COVID-19 outbreak and later on, led to a collaboration among a governmental, philanthropy, and a non-profit professional organization to develop a practical inter-professional online course. The course aims were to enhance knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to engage in pediatric telehealth and form a professional supporting network. Participants and Methods: 96 pediatric professionals, including occupational therapists (33%), physical therapists (16%), speech and language pathologists (25%), social workers (17%), and developmental psychologists (9%), responded to a survey before and after participation in a 30-hour online training. The training included best practices in telehealth delivered via lectures followed by online discussions to foster sharing of ideas, networking, and empowering participants to translate actions in practice. Results: Significant increases (p <0.01) were found in participants' knowledge of best practices, planning and managing care, working with diverse populations, technology, and guidelines. Participants reported a significant increase in positive attitudes and emotions towards telehealth. Most participants (72%) reported that they plan to use telehealth in their routine practice;27% reported maybe. Feedback on the learning experience was positive, and most learners wrote the course advanced their skills and exceeded their expectations. Conclusion: Training can. Online learning tailored to the learners' needs can promote knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to incorporate telehealth in routine care and foster networks that empower participants to gain and implement practical skills to improve the quality of care.