Caregivers’ perspectives of early developmental tele-assessments in challenging circumstances

Background: Outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, exacerbate barriers to accessing early childhood developmental care. Tele-assessment may serve as an innovative approach to developmental monitoring to overcome service delivery amidst challenging circumstances. It is vital to collect caregivers’ perspectives of this potential service delivery method to inform clinical decision making.Objectives: This study aimed to determine caregivers’ perspectives of interview-based early developmental tele-assessment in a South African context.Method: Thirty caregivers of children (aged birth – 36 months) completed a caregiver-report developmental assessment via a telecommunications platform, as well as an online questionnaire probing their perspectives on the tele-assessment.Results: Most participants (96.7%, n = 29 out of 30) rated their overall experience of the tele-assessment as positive; however, 53.8% (n = 14 out of 26 that answered the question) indicated that they would additionally still prefer in-person assessment.Conclusion: Tele-assessment appears to be a viable approach for caregivers to access developmental care during circumstances such as COVID-19.Contribution: This study provided valuable insight into a novel approach using interview-based early developmental tele-assessment and the perspectives of caregivers thereof.