Tele-triage for Anxiety in Children

Audience: pediatric

Anxiety in children is common and can affect their daily activities and well-being. Tele-triage helps caregivers and health providers decide when to use telemedicine for anxiety symptoms and when to seek in-person care. Telemedicine can offer timely support, guidance, and monitoring for mild to moderate anxiety symptoms in children. However, certain signs require urgent in-person evaluation, such as severe distress, risk of harm, or sudden behavioral changes. This guide explains how telemedicine can assist with anxiety concerns in children, what to prepare for a tele-visit, and when to seek emergency care. It also highlights red flags that need immediate attention. Using tele-triage can improve access to care, reduce delays, and support families managing childhood anxiety safely and effectively.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Child expresses thoughts of self-harm or harming others — seek emergency care immediately.
• Severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, or fainting — call emergency services right away.
• Sudden, severe behavioral changes such as withdrawal, aggression, or confusion — arrange urgent in-person evaluation.

What telemedicine can do

• Mild to moderate anxiety symptoms assessment
• Routine follow-up and medication management
• Providing coping strategies and counseling referrals
• Monitoring symptom changes over time

What telemedicine cannot do

• Emergency situations involving risk of harm
• Severe physical symptoms needing urgent care
• Complex psychiatric emergencies
• Diagnostic procedures requiring physical examination

Understanding Anxiety in Children

Anxiety is a natural response to stress but becomes a concern when it affects a child's daily life, school, or relationships. Children may show anxiety through worries, irritability, restlessness, or physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches. Recognizing these signs early can help families seek support before anxiety worsens.

When Telemedicine Can Help

Telemedicine is useful for discussing mild to moderate anxiety symptoms, follow-up visits, medication management, and counseling sessions. It allows caregivers to connect with healthcare providers from home, saving time and reducing stress. Providers can assess symptoms, offer coping strategies, and recommend further care if needed.

When to Seek In-Person Care

Certain situations require urgent in-person evaluation, including:

In these cases, immediate medical attention is necessary.

Preparing for a Telemedicine Visit

To get the most from a tele-visit:

After the Tele-Visit: Next Steps

Following the telemedicine appointment:

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Ensure a quiet and private environment for the tele-visit
• Test internet connection and device functionality beforehand
• Prepare a list of the child's symptoms and concerns
• Have current medications and health records available
• Include the child in the visit as appropriate and have a caregiver present

After your tele-visit

• Follow provider’s treatment and therapy recommendations
• Schedule and attend follow-up appointments
• Monitor the child's symptoms and behavior regularly
• Use suggested coping techniques and support resources
• Seek immediate in-person care if red flags develop

FAQs

Can telemedicine diagnose anxiety in children?

Telemedicine can help healthcare providers assess symptoms and suggest if anxiety is likely, but a full diagnosis may require in-person evaluation or additional assessments.

Is telemedicine safe for managing my child's anxiety?

Yes, telemedicine is often safe and effective for managing mild to moderate anxiety, providing timely support and guidance from qualified providers.

What should I do if my child's anxiety worsens after a tele-visit?

If symptoms worsen or new concerning signs appear, contact your healthcare provider promptly or seek in-person care if urgent.

Can therapy be done through telemedicine for children?

Many types of therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be provided via telemedicine and have been shown to be effective for children with anxiety.

What if my child refuses to participate in a telemedicine visit?

Try to explain the purpose in simple terms and involve a trusted adult. If participation is not possible, consider scheduling an in-person visit.

Sources

1. Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Child and Adolescent Mental Health — World Health Organization.
3. Anxiety in Children: Symptoms and Treatment — American Academy of Pediatrics.
4. Telehealth for Mental Health: A Review — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
5. Managing Anxiety in Children — Mayo Clinic.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational and triage purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional in-person medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. If your child has severe symptoms or emergency signs, seek immediate medical attention.