A national survey of telehealth activity in Australian hospitals

Abstract

We conducted a national survey of Australian hospitals to assess their use of telehealth. Information was sought from the 814 hospitals with 10 or more beds, excluding the small number that provided only day surgery and seven for which we could not identify a contact person. A total of 564 replies were received (a 69% response rate). Nationally, nearly half (49%) reported that they were engaged in some telehealth activity. However, there was a significant difference across jurisdictions. Hospitals in the public sector were significantly more likely to report the use of telehealth than those in the private sector (62% vs 14%). Hospital remoteness was measured according to the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA). The highest levels of use were reported by hospitals in 'very remote' and 'remote' areas (90% and 88%, respectively), with moderate levels of use in 'moderately accessible' and 'accessible' areas (67% and 52%, respectively) and the lowest level of use in 'highly accessible' areas (35%). This trend was significant.

Evaluation of the Western Australian Department of Health telehealth project

“…Public hospitals were more likely to embrace the technique than private hospitals, and it was found that the more remote the location, the higher was the likelihood of telehealth use. 8…”

A national survey of telemedicine in the Republic of Ireland

“…Chief executives primarily hold a managerial role and may not have day-to-day involvement in running certain activities such as telemedicine. Future studies may benefit from including a broad definition of telemedicine such as that used by Wootton et al 2 when making initial contact with participants.…”

“…The method used was adapted from a survey of telehealth activity in Australia by Wootton et al 2 11 The final list comprised 189 hospitals. A letter was sent to the first named person (Chief Executive, General Manager, Administrator, Medical Director or Matron) at 187 of the 189 hospitals requesting their assistance with the project; there was prior knowledge about telemedicine in the remaining two hospitals.…”

“…1 In a survey conducted in Australia there was a linear association between telehealth activity and the remoteness of the hospitals. 2 In Ireland, 42% of the population live in rural areas, which is three times more than the European average. 3 The Irish government is committed to providing equitable access to health care and has recognized that telemedicine is a key factor in increasing accessibility and efficiency.…”

The use of technology and perceptions of its effectiveness in training physicians

“…For example, as early as 2003, nearly half of all hospitals in Australia used some sort of telemedicine technology, with private hospitals being more likely than public hospitals to use it (Wootton et al 2003). Today, the figures are likely much higher, and not just in Australia.…”