With the rapid advancement of information and communication technologies, telemedicine is increasingly being used to overcome the barrier of distance in delivering health care services. Few studies have addressed the application of telemedicine to support the critical, time-sensitive communication and decisions required in the complex clinical context of pediatric resuscitation. Within the framework of a larger mixed methods exploratory sequential study, this project will focus on the qualitative process evaluation of an emergency care quality improvement program implemented in public teaching hospitals of Sindh Province, Pakistan, that combines a protocol checklist with expert supervision by way of synchronous audiovisual monitoring in pediatric resuscitation rooms. For this study, surveys and in-depth interviews with doctors and nurses will be used to explore end-user experience of the telemedicine consultation process, social and structural context, and influence on the role and performance of health care workers. Beyond informing efforts to improve the existing program, this study will contribute toward a better understanding of the possibilities and challenges of implementing telemedicine for pediatric emergency care, including in low- and middle-income countries, and enable the development of telehealth strategies that meet the needs of health care workers, that are appropriate for local practice and health system settings, and that improve the quality of care and health of patients and populations.

Advisor/Mentor: Dr. Amber Mehmood