Use of telehealth technology to extend child protection team services

Objective. In response to increased referrals to Florida's Child Protection Teams and concern regarding statewide availability of medical expertise in the area of child abuse and neglect, Children's Medical Services of the Fl orida Department of Health established a telemedicine project to facilitate immediate expert medical evaluations of alleged child abuse or neglect. Th is article describes a baseline examination of the project, including the t echnique of concept mapping, to examine how larger systematic factors influ ence the adaptation of telemedicine technology in child abuse examination s ettings. Methods. This study included interviews of key staff plus the incorporation of concept mapping, which takes qualitative data (individual statements an d opinions) and quantifies them (sorts and ranks them by order of group imp ortance). Results. Findings from interviews revealed that the frequency of use of tel ehealth services varies across the state as a result of several factors, in cluding space limitations and staff training. Patients, however, seem to be comfortable with the use of the new technology. The concept mapping exerci se displayed a progression of issues that are perceived to have an impact o n the use of this technology. Conclusions. Technology use is affected by unforeseen variables, such as ph ysical space limitations and examination room availability. Family concerns about patient privacy issues were rare and were resolved quickly by the he alth care practitioner. Although using this equipment is not difficult, the search for user-friendliness should be continued. Staff engagement early i n the process likely will result in a greater likelihood of use of the tech nology.