"Comparison of Telemedicine to Traditional Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN): Analysis of Cost, Caring and Family-Centered Care”, Mary Hooshmand, PhD, PI

The purpose of this research project was to examine cost, caring and family-centered care in relation to pediatric specialty services utilizing telemedicine technology compared to traditional face-to-face visits for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) in Southeast Florida. Cost, caring, and family-centered care were examined from the perspectives of the parents/ guardians of CSHCN. Results indicated family costs were reported to be significantly higher if telemedicine was not available in their communities. While there were no differences in the families perceptions of care as caring, results indicated significant differences bet ween the groups in regards to family-centered care with the telemedicine group reporting more positive perceptions of the system of care as family-centered.