Acceptability of telehealth‐delivered Alberta Infant Motor Scale for Australian parents: A mixed‐methods analysis

AIM: To describe the factors shaping Australian parents' acceptability of synchronous telehealth delivery of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), an infant gross motor assessment. METHOD: A mixed-methods approach was used to describe the experiences of parents whose infants received telehealth and face-to-face AIMS assessments. A quantitative component used questionnaire responses (n = 102) and a qualitative component involved semi-structured interviews (n = 13). Descriptive statistics, deductive content analysis (questionnaire data), and inductive content analysis (interview data) were used for analysis. RESULTS: Most parents (89%) reported telehealth was an acceptable way to complete the AIMS assessment. Most (97%) would accept a telehealth appointment if a face-to-face assessment was not available. Four categories were identified from interview data that influenced parents' perceptions of telehealth: (1) visibility of the child; (2) accuracy of representation; (3) trust in the unfamiliar; and (4) the parental experience. INTERPRETATION: Telehealth delivery of the AIMS is acceptable to Australian parents. However, around half of participants preferred face-to-face assessment. Findings suggest families be provided with choice, with clinicians supporting parents to understand the benefits and challenges of each modality, considering families' circumstances, preferences, capabilities, and access to technology.