Exploration of the Feasibility of Remote Assessment of Functioning in Children and Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities: Parents’ Perspectives and Related Contextual Factors

Beatriz Helena Brugnaro (), Fabiana Nascimento Vieira, Gesica Fernandes, Olaf Kraus de Camargo, Laís Fumincelli, Ana Carolina de Campos, Silvia Letícia Pavão and Nelci Adriana Cicuto Ferreira Rocha
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Beatriz Helena Brugnaro: Child Development Analysis Laboratory (LADI), Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
Fabiana Nascimento Vieira: Child Development Analysis Laboratory (LADI), Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
Gesica Fernandes: Child Development Analysis Laboratory (LADI), Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
Olaf Kraus de Camargo: CanChild, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 1C7, Canada
Laís Fumincelli: Department of Nursing, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
Ana Carolina de Campos: Child Development Analysis Laboratory (LADI), Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
Silvia Letícia Pavão: Department of Prevention and Rehabilitation in Physical Therapy, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 80060-000, PR, Brazil
Nelci Adriana Cicuto Ferreira Rocha: Child Development Analysis Laboratory (LADI), Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-14

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted face-to-face health services, leveraging telehealth strategies. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate, from a parent’s perspective, the feasibility of a remote assessment of functioning in children with developmental disabilities during the pandemic and related contextual factors, based on how parents carry out the assessment. Parents of children with developmental disabilities (mean age = 7.56 ± 3.68) responded to a remote assessment via electronic forms and telephone interview. We analyzed parents’ perspectives about the feasibility of the assessment. We also tested the association between feasibility score and sociodemographics/pandemic experience. Regression analysis tested if children’s functioning characteristics predicted feasibility. A total of 57 mothers completed the remote assessment, and more than 95% did not report difficulties in accessing/responding to electronic forms. They scored remote assessment as easy and feasible, and reported no difficulties with telephone interview. Greater feasibility rates were related to lower maternal age (rho Spearman = −0.290; p = 0.029). The model shows that children’s characteristics predicted 20.4% of feasibility ( p < 0.005). Remote assessment showed to be feasible. Younger mothers might consider easier-to-use technologies, beyond considering remote assessment more viable. These results can guide the next steps in research and remote clinical practice.

Keywords: feasibility; assessment; remote; pandemic; child; family; disability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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