Telemedicine pediatric trauma consultations show no significant overall parent-reported benefit

This stepped-wedge cluster-randomized clinical trial enrolled families of children younger than 18 years presenting with acute physical trauma to 10 nonpediatric trauma centers in northern California between November 2020 and November 2022. Emergency departments used either telemedicine after a standard telephone consultation with a pediatric trauma physician or telephone consultation alone. The study included 595 children (mean age, 7.6 years); 369 were assigned to telemedicine and 226 to standard care. Parent experience and distress were assessed at least three days after injury.

Overall parent experience scores were similar between groups (adjusted mean difference, 0.041; 95% CI, −0.008 to 0.090; P=.10), as were distress scores (−0.031; 95% CI, −0.297 to 0.235; P=.82). Transfer odds also did not differ significantly (adjusted odds ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.16 to 2.16; P=.43). A subscale for experience of emergency department discharge or interfacility transfer favored telemedicine (adjusted mean difference, 0.104; 95% CI, 0.023 to 0.186; P=.01).

The findings do not show a significant overall improvement in parent-reported experience, distress, or transfer frequency. The favorable subscale result suggests a possible communication benefit during care transitions, but does not establish an overall benefit. The study was conducted in 10 centers in one region, and full text was not provided in the source.