“Can you hear me OK?”: Caregivers of Children With Medical Complexity and Their Perspectives of Virtual Care During COVID-19

Abstract

The rapid and widespread shift to virtual care during COVID-19 created new opportunities and unique challenges for families of children with medical complexity (CMC). However, few studies have examined perceptions of virtual care during the pandemic in this population. To address this gap, the current study used a qualitative approach and semistructured interviews via Zoom to explore parent perspectives of virtual care. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 30 parents residing with their CMC (aged 0-18 years) in British Columbia, Canada. The findings identified from the data included (1) advantages and opportunities, (2) concerns and challenges, and (3) parent choice and preference. Our findings indicate the need for healthcare professionals to receive training to use virtual care in their practice effectively. In addition, policies about standards for virtual care and ensuring families have access to the necessary technology will help reduce barriers and improve equity and inclusion for this population.