Impacts of health care service changes implemented due to COVID‐19 on children and young people with long‐term disability: A mapping review

• Published in: Developmental medicine and child neurology 2023-07, Vol.65 (7), p.885-899
• Main Authors: Merrick, Hannah, Driver, Helen, Main, Chloe, Kenny, Ryan P. W., Richmond, Catherine, Allard, Amanda, Bola, Kulwinder, Morris, Christopher, Parr, Jeremy R., Pearson, Fiona, Pennington, Lindsay, Exley, Cath, Teare, Dawn, Yu, Ge, Carr, Sara, Haining, Shona, Platts, Lesley, Gray, Laura, Heslop, Philip
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Caregivers; Child; COVID-19; Delivery of Health Care; Humans; Pandemics; Social Support
• ISSN: 0012-1622; 1469-8749
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15503

Aim To identify the research on childhood disability service adaptations and their impact on children and young people with long‐term disability during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Method A mapping review was undertaken. We searched the World Health Organization Global COVID‐19 database using the search terms ‘children’, ‘chronic/disabling conditions’, and ‘services/therapies’. Eligible papers reported service changes for children (0–19 years) with long‐term disability in any geographical or clinical setting between 1st January 2020 and 26th January 2022. Papers were charted across the effective practice and organization of care taxonomy of health system interventions and were narratively synthesized; an interactive map was produced. Results Reduction of face‐to‐face care and usual provision had a huge impact on children and families. Adoption of telehealth provided continuity for the care and management of some conditions. There was limited evidence of changes to mental health services, transitions of care, social care, or child‐reported satisfaction or acceptability of service changes. Interpretation The long‐term impacts of service change during the pandemic need full evaluation. However, widespread disruption seems to have had a profound impact on child and carer health and well‐being. Service recovery needs to be specific to the individual needs of children with a disability and their families. This should be done through coproduction to ensure that service changes meet needs and are accessible and equitable. This mapping review systematically identifies and analyses the emerging evidence from research on changes that were made to services for disabled children and young people during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The review describes changes that did and did not work during that time of rapid change. This will inform decisions on service recovery as well as service delivery in future emergencies.