Perspectives on Conducting Behavioral Intervention With Adolescents Using a Virtual Platform-A Thematic Analysis From the Viewpoint of Study Coordinators

Adamo Ghezzo; Giuseppe Pascale; Mary Amanda Dew; Janet E Rennick; Annette DeVito Dabbs; Vikas R Dharnidharka; Bärbel Knäuper; Gillian Mayersohn; Chia Wei Teoh; Véronique Phan; Tom Blydt-Hansen; Jodi Smith; Bethany J Foster

doi:10.1111/petr.70006

Perspectives on Conducting Behavioral Intervention With Adolescents Using a Virtual Platform-A Thematic Analysis From the Viewpoint of Study Coordinators

Pediatr Transplant. 2025 Feb;29(1):e70006. doi: 10.1111/petr.70006.

Authors

Adamo Ghezzo¹, Giuseppe Pascale¹, Mary Amanda Dew^{2

3

4

5}, Janet E Rennick^{1

6

7

8}, Annette DeVito Dabbs⁴, Vikas R Dharnidharka^{9

10}, Bärbel Knäuper¹¹, Gillian Mayersohn^{12

13}, Chia Wei Teoh^{14

15}, Véronique Phan¹⁶, Tom Blydt-Hansen¹⁷, Jodi Smith¹⁸, Bethany J Foster^{1

19

20}

Affiliations

¹ Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
² Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
³ Department of Psychology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
⁴ Department of Acute & Tertiary Care, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
⁵ Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
⁶ Department of Nursing, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
⁷ Ingram School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
⁸ Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
⁹ Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Hypertension & Apheresis, Washington University School of Medicine & St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
¹⁰ Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
¹¹ Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
¹² Department of Psychology, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
¹³ Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
¹⁴ Division of Nephrology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁵ Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁶ Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Nephrology, CHU Ste-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
¹⁷ Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
¹⁸ Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
¹⁹ Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
²⁰ Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, McGill University Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread adoption of virtual communication platforms. Virtual study visits were implemented in the pilot cluster randomized trial (CRT) stage of Teen Adherence in KidnEy transplant Improving Tracking To Optimize Outcomes (TAKE-IT TOO). The present study aimed to understand study coordinators' perspectives on conducting a behavioral intervention with adolescent kidney transplant recipients using virtual conferencing platforms.

Methods: Study coordinator participants (N = 6) completed questionnaires and participated in a semi-structured interview that probed comfort with digital technology, issues encountered, and overall perspectives on conducting virtual study visits. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes.

Results: Participants expressed confidence with technology and ability to handle the complexities of the virtual conferencing. Some expressed that virtual study visits led to a change in work habits and higher workload due to increased technology complexity. Qualitative analyses of participant interviews revealed four themes: adaptability, accessibility, logistics (including subthemes scheduling and fluidity), and communication (including subthemes clarity, engagement, and rapport). Convenience for coordinators and the perceived comfort for adolescents were noted advantages for virtual visits. Technical issues, periodic adolescent distractions, and challenges with instructional teaching through virtual conferencing were identified as potential limitations of virtual study visits.

Conclusions: Overall, virtual study visits were appreciated and endorsed by study coordinators. Researchers should consider the feasibility of completing study-related tasks virtually, including accessibility of visual materials on all type of electronic devices, and ensure adequate training of study personnel when deciding to implement virtual platform in CRTs.

Keywords: adolescents; behavioral intervention; virtual conferencing; virtual visits.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Attitude of Health Personnel
Behavior Therapy / methods
COVID-19* / epidemiology
Female
Humans
Kidney Transplantation*
Male
Patient Compliance
Pilot Projects
Qualitative Research
SARS-CoV-2
Surveys and Questionnaires
Telemedicine

Grants and funding

NH/NIH HHS/United States