Supporting early childhood development during COVID-19 using telehealth: stakeholders’ perspectives

Timely assessment and intervention for developmental delays is a high priority in child healthcare, yet obtaining access to early care services remains challenge low-and middle-income countries, such as South Africa, which has shortage of healthcare professionals. The outbreak COVID-19 2020 exacerbated these barriers, alternative solutions service delivery are needed. Telehealth holds potential an innovative approach the provision childhood during pandemic. chapter aims explore feasibility telehealth through stakeholders’ perspectives. To perspectives tele-assessment, 30 caregivers children (birth 36 months) completed online followed by questionnaire probing their thereof. Nineteen final-year student clinicians survey on initial experiences tele-intervention, was initiated mid-year lockdown level 4. four 10 student-clinicians were probed at end synchronous interviews. Almost all (96.7%, n=29) rated overall tele-assessment experience positive. majority (66.7%, n=20) identified viable mode; however, 53.8% (n=14) indicated that they would want face-to-face assessments supplement tele-assessments. This suggests families may prefer hybrid assessment. Although initially apprehensive, found tele-intervention be positive Caregivers faced similar technological challenges, but experienced benefits from services, including continued framework successfully provided structure interventions. Telehealth, part proposed model, provides care, despite restrictions.