Modernizing Pediatric Care: Expanding Video Consultations for Sick Kids
Permanent telemedicine service available for ill children's healthcare. - Permanent Video Conference Availability for Ailing Kids Provision
Parents of unwell children will soon have a new option for assistance during non-peak hours — video consultations. After a successful two-year trial, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Hesse (KVH) plans to introduce this service in the pediatric on-call duty, starting October 1st. Originally tested around holidays, the goal is to spare sick kids and their parents the journey to an on-call center and avoid waiting times.
Armin Beck, deputy chairman of the KVH board, acknowledges that the video service has proven effective: "We've made it through the final phases of testing, and it's working splendidly."
For parents of acutely ill children and adolescents, the new service offers an opportunity to book appointments through the 116117 hotline between 9 am and 7 pm on specific holidays. For instance, during the Corpus Christi extended weekend. Staff assess the case's suitability for video consultation and arrange an appointment with a pediatrician. Parents join the call using a provided link. If a physical examination is necessary, families will be referred to the nearest pediatric on-call center.
Not every complaint can be treated online. Severe injuries and severe fevers are unsuitable for online consultation, according to Beck. However, cases with rashes, conjunctivitis, stomach flu, or prescription requests can be effectively managed through video consultations.
Beginning October 1st, the service will be available on a permanent basis, from 2 pm to midnight on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 7 pm to midnight on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and from 7 am to 7 pm on weekends. Beck also hinted at broadening the service offering for adults in the future.
International research indicates that telemedicine, including video consultations, can significantly reduce the need for parents to travel to clinics and improve access to healthcare providers—especially for urgent care and triaging sick children. However, challenges such as technology infrastructure, digital literacy, and variable access to devices may affect its impact on wait times. Meanwhile, remote consultations can provide convenient, patient-centered care, especially in rural areas where travel to pediatric centers is time-consuming. But equitable access to technology remains a concern.
Regardless, the expanded video consultation service for sick children in Germany could lead to reductions in both wait times and travel burdens, provided that technology access is equitable and support systems are robust. To maintain patient trust, ongoing training and support for healthcare providers and parents, as well as solid privacy and data security regulations, are crucial.
The expansion of video consultations for pediatric care in Germany, starting October 1st, aligns with the advancements in telemedicine, fostering a science-backed approach in health-and-wellness, particularly mental health, by offering a more accessible form of urgent care and triaging. This community policy, implemented by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Hesse (KVH), is projected to provide vocational training for healthcare providers in utilizing digital platforms for efficient consultations.
