Disparities in the expansion of telemedicine in pediatric specialty care through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the rapid expansion of telemedicine, including in specialties traditionally dependent on physical exams, such as pediatric surgery. Trends in its utilization as in-person visits resumed are not well understood, nor is its effect on mitigating disparities related to social determinants of health (SDOH). We hypothesize that telemedicine utilization increased after the pandemic and has remained higher compared to pre-pandemic levels.