Table 4 Positive impacts observed by paediatricians during the COVID-19 pandemic as related to CMC and their families

Virtual care

Benefits to family

• Reduced travel time

• Reduced need for preparation, including arrangement of specialised equipment and transport

• Reduced travel costs

• Reduced caregiver time away from employment

• Reduced waiting room exposure (helpful for children with behavioural and sensory challenges)

• Multiple providers present, including those working at different locations

Benefits to clinician

• Assessment – observation of child’s developmental skills in home environment, opportunity to speak with family caregivers alone

• Team functioning – ease of virtual meetings

System development

• Technology to support receipt of videos

• Development of billing codes to support physicians providing virtual care, including telephone follow-up financially

Observed reduction in encounters of CMC with a respiratory illness

Healthcare system change

Changes in patient flow

• New clinical programs to meet demand (e.g. eating disorders)

• New clinical pathways (e.g. direct admission to a ward)