[Haley Harger]

I am currently a PNP, and I would like to be involved in a combination videoconferencing and store & forward telehealth program. In my practice environment, we conduct autism assessments using a validated screening tool. It is a lengthy appointment and very rarely requires a physical exam. It is helped enormously by being able to see how the child interacts with others and how he or she plays with toys.

• Telehealth model: Videoconferencing to complete screening tool with parent and share results, Store & forward for the parents to complete their portion of the screening tool ahead of time and to send videos of the child interacting with peers, adults, and toys ahead of the visit
• Type of equipment: videoconferencing and store & forward via laptop, tablet, or smartphone
• Type population/healthcare issue: autism screening in pediatric patients
• Role: provider, telehealth coordinator
• What I would evaluate: parent subjective experience, provider subjective experience, overall cost, impact on access, impact on ease of diagnosis
• Legal considerations: requires appropriate consent, requires HIPAA-compliant portal and videoconferencing software, parent must be in-state, billing appropriately if child is not present
• Other professions: teachers and/or school counselors, allied health professionals that work with patient (PT, OT, SLP), ABA therapists
• Protocols: protocol for documentation parent must fill out ahead of time, protocol for provider reviewing screening tool and videos ahead of appointment, protocol for opening and closing appointments, protocol in case of technical difficulty, protocol if emergency develops, protocol for follow up after telehealth visit
• How to consent: online consent form detailing what the visit can accomplish/its limitations, the providers’ credentials, privacy risks and concerns, and reasons for discontinuing the telehealth format will be emailed to the parent when the appointment is scheduled. Check in with parent 2 weeks before appointment if consent is not signed, then again at 1 week, advising that if it is not signed 48 hours before the appointment, appointment will be cancelled.

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