Telehealth implementation for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a scoping review

The objective of this research was to examine current telehealth practices in managing children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to map existing implementations using the American Medical Association’s Virtual Care Value Framework. A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework. The databases, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and PubMed, were searched with specific keywords related to telehealth and ADHD. The screening process followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Inclusion criteria were restricted to articles published in English between January 2000 and July 2024, focusing on children with ADHD, their parents, caregivers, family members, teachers, healthcare professionals, and articles implementing telehealth interventions. As a result, out of 389 initially identified articles, 22 met the inclusion criteria. The studies were predominantly conducted in the United States. The most common telehealth methods included videoconferencing and telephone-based communications. Key areas of focus in these studies included clinical outcomes, access to care, patient and family experience, caregiver experience, clinician experience, and financial and operational impact. However, none of the studies addressed health equity. In conclusion, telehealth has shown effectiveness in improving ADHD assessment, treatment adherence, and parental education, leading to positive patient outcomes and experiences. However, the financial impact of telehealth remains uncertain. Further research is needed, particularly outside the United States, to explore emerging telehealth technologies and areas overlooked by the Virtual Care Value Framework, such as health equity.