Use of Telepresence Systems to Enhance School Participation in Pediatric Patients with Chronic Illnesses Involving the CNS

Abstract: Background: Due to hospitalization, medical treatment and/or rehabilitation stays, children and adolescents with diseases of the central nervous system (CNS; e.g. tumors, epilepsies or traumatic brain injuries) often cannot participate in everyday school life to the same extent as their peers. To counteract social isolation and negative consequences (e.g. lack of a sense of belonging, reduced well-being and self-esteem, more frequent class repetitions or low educational attainment) telepresence systems are increasingly being discussed as a way to enable participation for children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. Method: This paper presents different telepresence systems and their advantages and disadvantages, effects of use, and potential difficulties. Conclusion: Telepresence systems offer an innovative and promising perspective to enable patients with CNS-associated diseases to participate in everyday school life.