Best Practice During Teleconsultations With Adolescents: A Scoping Review

Purpose: Teleconsultations are increasingly used to deliver health care, yet guidance on how to maximize health outcomes and ensure the quality and rights-based principles of adolescent health care during teleconsultations is lacking. This scoping review synthesized the literature on teleconsultations with adolescents, with the objective of informing a practical guidance for healthcare professionals. Methods: Eight databases were searched to identify articles published between 2010 and 2020 in English, French, or Spanish that provided evidence or guidance on synchronous teleconsultations with 10-to 19-year-olds. Web sites in six high-income countries and six low-to middle-income countries were also searched and a Google search was conducted. Data were analyzed using narrative synthesis. Results: Of 59 total references, 51 were from high-income countries. References included primary research (n = 21), reviews (n = 13), clinical guidance (n = 9), case reports (n = 9), commentaries (n = 6), anda website (n = 1). Just under half (46%) were descriptive, qualitative, or expert opinion. The main focus was mental health and behavioral disorders. Discussion: Good evidence on the complexities of conducting teleconsultations with adolescents is lacking. Questions remain regarding the scope and acuity of health issues for which tele-consultations are appropriate, their role in overcoming or contributing to inequalities, and the practicalities of conducting consultations. (c) 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.

Automated summary

This scoping review synthesizes the literature on teleconsultations with adolescents, aiming to provide guidance for healthcare professionals. The results indicate a lack of sufficient evidence on the complexities of conducting teleconsultations with adolescents, and further research and solutions are needed for the existing issues.