Without doubt, virtual care through the workplace can be a boon for employees needing quick and convenient access to health care. But a gap may exist in the roster of virtual healthcare providers available: pediatricians and other pediatric experts. That gap has implications for employers.
Simply put: “Kids aren’t tiny adults,” said Adam Saperia, Chief Executive Officer of KixCare, during a recent Benefits Alliance Voice podcast. “What works for adults is not what’s going to work best for kids.”
When a child is unwell, physically or mentally, parents bring their worries—and efforts to find the best care—to the workplace. The loss of productivity can be especially pronounced when the child is struggling with their mental health, where access challenges are often the greatest.
“The stats show that in Canada, moms with young kids are losing as much as six days of work per year more than their peers,” said Saperia. “More than half of parents have missed work because of their kids’ mental health.”
Getting ahead of problems
When it comes to health care for kids, long wait times and unclear care pathways often leave parents stuck waiting, guessing or turning to emergency departments as a last resort. If mental health is the issue, delays and wrong turns can lead to crisis and trauma.
“More companies are willing to provide those dollars towards mental health services, which is a fantastic investment. But those dollars are only as good as the providers that you’re able to use them for,” said Saperia. “When [virtual care] can provide those appointments with a pediatric social worker or psychotherapist in a matter of days, compared to nine months…that is a huge, huge impact for the employee and the child.”
“The more proactive that we are in health care, the less reactive that we have to be,” said Ashton Thornton, a registered nurse experienced in pediatric care and the Director of Clinical Services at KixCare.
Pediatric virtual care differentiates itself by offering an “ecosystem” of pediatric providers who can stay connected with children as they grow. “We’re here with them throughout that journey, because symptoms change and evolve,” said Thornton.
That continuity is particularly important in mental health, where early support can prevent escalation. “One in five children experience some form of mental health [challenge],” Thornton noted. “Children should never get to crisis moments—but the reality is…we don’t always see what’s going on until it escalates.”
Thornton’s own daughter, a pre-teen, regularly speaks with a therapist virtually for preventative mental healthcare. “Mom’s not always so cool and [my daughter] doesn’t always want to listen to me. She gets to hear from somebody else who is shedding light on what other children experience and providing her coping strategies to be successful in life.”
All in the family
For employers, the takeaway is less about adding another benefit and more about rethinking how their plans fully support employees.
“Family-centric offerings…say, ‘We care about not only you, but we care about everybody that’s in your household,’” said Thornton.
The payoff can be immediate. “If those parents are looked after and their kids are looked after, you’re going to have a highly present, highly successful employee,” said Saperia. “Parents are only as happy as their least happy child.”
