Evaluating the use of video communication technology in a hospital specialist palliative care team during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Healthcare professionals’ use of video communication technology has increased during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, due to infection control restrictions. Currently there is little published data about the experiences of specialist palliative care teams who are using technology to communicate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this evaluation was to describe the experience of a UK based hospital specialist palliative care team, who were using video communication technology to support care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online survey was distributed to the specialist palliative care team at a University teaching hospital in the North West of the UK. We asked participants to provide their views on the scope of use, barriers and future opportunities to use technology for communication in hospital palliative care. Results: The survey was completed by 14 healthcare professionals. Participants indicated that the most common reasons for using the technology was to receive team updates (n= 14, 100%), participate in multidisciplinary team meetings (n=14, 100%), for education (n=12, 86%) and to facilitate cross-site working (n=9, 64%). We identified barriers to using the technology, which were summarised as: (1) user-based difficulties; (2) inadequate technological infrastructure; (3) data security, privacy and ethical concerns; and (4) concerns regarding staff wellbeing. Participants stated that technology can potentially improve care by improving communication with hospital and community teams and increasing access to education. We have used these findings to develop recommendations to help palliative care teams to implement this technology better in clinical practice. Conclusion: Video communication technology has the potential to improve specialist palliative care delivery; however, it is essential that healthcare organisations address the existing barriers to using this technology, to ensure that these systems work meaningfully to improve palliative care for those who are most vulnerable beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Identification of Digital Health Priorities for Palliative Care Research: Modified Delphi Study

“…( Multimedia Appendix 10 [ 47 , 50 , 93 - 113 ]) [ 34 , 35 ]. For example, telehealth was commonly used during the pandemic, with many palliative care services using it to provide remote clinical support [ 93 - 105 ], communication [ 106 ], and education [ 107 ]. Technologies have been used to maintain connections and to develop communities of palliative care practice [ 108 , 109 ].…”

“…VR is used to provide psychological care and symptom management [ 110 , 111 ]. In general, the findings of these studies describe the potential benefits of digital health; however, the rapid implementation of these technologies has created a number of challenges (eg, technical issues, data security, and well-being considerations) that require further evaluation [ 106 ]. We are encouraged that these palliative care digital health studies, conducted during the pandemic, are within the scope of our identified priorities.…”

Intention of healthcare providers to use video-communication in terminal care: a cross-sectional study

“…These findings are in line with another study about the implementation of video communication in home-based palliative care [ 35 ]. Other studies found several barriers and factors diminishing the value proposition of video communication in palliative care [ 23 , 35 ]. The reason for finding only predictors associated positively with the use of video communication in this study maybe due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as this study has been performed during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in which the use of video communication has become a necessary good.…”

Technology in Palliative Care (TIP): the identification of digital priorities for palliative care research using a modified Delphi method

“…(Appendix: Examples of technologies used in palliative care during the COVID19 pandemic). 32 33 Telehealth was commonly used during the pandemic, with many palliative care services using this to provide remote clinical support, [92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104] to communicate 105 and for education. 106 Technologies were used to maintain connection, and to develop communities of palliative care practice.…”

“…implementation during the pandemic has created a number of challenges (e.g., technical issues, data security and wellbeing considerations) which, require further evaluation. 105…”