PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Telehealth is defined as the remote provision of health care and education. Its use greatly increased as
a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to continue being widely used. The problem is the lack of
understanding on how to best offer telehealth to adolescents. This study will interview 105 adolescents to ask
about their perspectives on the benefits of, challenges with, and suggestions for improving telehealth.
Pediatric research regarding perspectives on telehealth focused primarily on parents/caregivers who
offered opinions on behalf of their adolescents. Our preliminary qualitative study using surveys and interviews
with parents/caregivers revealed that it was important to interview adolescents to better understand how to
improve telehealth. We identified studies in the U.S.A. that interviewed 15 to 38 adolescents on benefits and
challenges of telehealth but not on suggestions for improvement.
We have established relationships with pediatrician offices that have participated in research with us in
the past and that will assist with recruitment of adolescents in Genesee County, Michigan. A total of 105
individuals aged 14 to 17 will participate in a 1-hour online or telephone interview to offer their perspectives on
telehealth. Questions as part of the interview will build on concepts in the “Telemedicine and doctor-patient
communication” theoretical framework. Parents/caregivers will complete a survey to provide the socio-
demographic information of their adolescent and household. Adolescents should have used any telehealth at
least once over the past year to be eligible to participate. Qualitative analyses of the interview transcripts and
quantitative analyses of surveys will take place. Four university students will be a part of the research team.
Students will receive training on qualitative research and ethical issues, develop study materials, conduct
interviews, perform qualitative and quantitative data analyses, and engage in manuscript writing for publication.
They will present in at least one national conference.
Through interviewing adolescents, the specific aims are to: 1) Describe the benefits of, challenges with,
and suggestions for improving synchronous (i.e., video visits) and asynchronous (i.e., mobile applications)
telehealth; 2) Compare benefits, challenges, and suggestions between adolescents of different socio-
demographic groups; 3) Based on the findings from aims 1-2, develop a conceptual framework on factors that
promote effective communication between adolescents and healthcare providers and subsequently improve
health outcomes through telehealth.
Understanding telehealth perspectives among adolescents can develop youth-specific health care
improvements such as more effective communication with the healthcare provider. Future randomized-
controlled trials developed based on the suggestions offered by the adolescents in the proposed study have
great potential in improving youth’s satisfaction with health care and health outcomes.
