The Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Adherence and Self-Management.

Center for Adherence and Self-Management, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children. Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital. Department of Clinical Psychology, College of Health Professions, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital.

Journal of pediatric psychology. 2020;(9):977-982

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique circumstances that have the potential to both positively and negatively affect pediatric adherence and self-management in youth with chronic medical conditions. The following paper discusses how these circumstances (e.g., stay-at-home orders, school closures, changes in pediatric healthcare delivery) impact disease management at the individual, family, community, and healthcare system levels. We also discuss how barriers to pediatric adherence and self-management exacerbated by the pandemic may disproportionately affect underserved and vulnerable populations, potentially resulting in greater health disparities. Given the potential for widespread challenges to pediatric disease management during the pandemic, ongoing monitoring and promotion of adherence and self-management is critical. Technology offers several opportunities for this via telemedicine, electronic monitoring, and mobile apps. Moreover, pediatric psychologists are uniquely equipped to develop and implement adherence-promotion efforts to support youth and their families in achieving and sustaining optimal disease management as the current public health situation continues to evolve. Research efforts addressing the short- and long-term impact of the pandemic on pediatric adherence and self-management are needed to identify both risk and resilience factors affecting disease management and subsequent health outcomes during this unprecedented time.

Methodological quality

Publication Type : Review

Metadata