Table 2 Pros and cons of the use of telemedicine with respect to young people

Facilitate multidisciplinary involvement (including hospital as well as community based) especially if geographically distant

It is not the preference of all young people and may not be suitable for those with language barriers, auditory or visual needs or learning difficulties

Facilitate involvement of both paediatric and adult teams especially if geographically distant

Challenges in assuring confidentiality for the young person

Young people are familiar with the technology

More challenging to establish new relationships between health professionals and young people e.g. more difficult to pick up on nonverbal cues including between young person and the accompanying adult etc

Reduces the need for travel in both individual and group work

Limited access to private space

Distribution of questionnaires, screening tools and transition checklists prior to appointment

Limited access to technology

Reduces cost for families (avoiding travel / time off work)

Dislike of video use when young person has body image issues

Limitation for physical examination (including pubertal assessment) and loss of opportunity to discuss bodily changes

Challenges of scheduling with respect to educational/work commitments of young person and parental working patterns

Safe-guarding issues of virtual examination and the receiving, capturing, storing and the use of images for clinical purposes

If used to preface physical clinics eg to take initial history etc. can reduce appointment time

Limitation for accurate measurement of height and weight

Keeping families connected during hospital stays

An additional skill for young people to learn