Patient Preferences for Using Technology in Communication Post Hospital Discharge

Abstract

Background: Technology is increasingly transforming the way we interact with others and undertake activities in our daily lives. The healthcare setting has, however, been relatively slow to adopt technology solutions to facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers. While the procedural and policy requirements of healthcare systems will ultimately drive such solutions, understanding the preferences and attitudes of patients is essential to ensure that technology implemented in the healthcare setting facilitates communication in safe, acceptable, and appropriate ways. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine patient preferences for using technology to communicate with health services about symptoms experienced following discharge from the hospital. Methods: Primary data were collected from patients admitted to a large metropolitan hospital in Australia during three consecutive months in 2018. Participants were asked about their daily use of technology including use of computers, email, phone, text messaging, mobile applications, social media, online discussion forums, and videoconference. They were then asked about their use of technologies in managing their health, and preferences for use when communicating about symptoms with health services following discharge from hospital. Results: Five hundred and twenty-five patients with a wide range of differing clinical conditions and demographics participated. Patients indicated they used a range of technologies in their everyday lives and to manage their health. Almost 60% of patients would prefer to return to hospital if they were experiencing symptoms of concern. However, if patients experienced symptoms that were not of concern, over 60% would prefer to communicate with the hospital via telephone or using technology. Admitting condition, income, and age were significantly associated with preferences for communication about symptoms following hospital discharge.Conclusions: Patients have varied preferences for communicating with the health service post-hospital discharge. Findings suggest that some, but not all patients, would prefer to use technology to traditional methods of communicating with the healthcare team. Health services should offer patients multiple options for communicating about their recovery to ensure individual needs are appropriately met.

Utilization of the dimensions of learning organization for enhanced hospital performance

“…Despite the challenge to ease of use, these systems were created and integrated in the hospital workflow. Access to these systems must be provided to all employees to bring about a positive impact on patient outcomes and fast interaction with other members of the healthcare team, as well as to ensure data security and resourcing (Alexander et al, 2021).…”

“…The NTP, as part of the Saudi Vision 2030, aims to improve the quality of patient care (Young et al, 2021). In this regard, hospitals, like any other organization, aim to be learning organizations and enhance practices to help bolster the knowledge and skills of employees and provide appropriate opportunities to improve organizational performance (Alexander et al, 2021). Hospital leaders play a unique role in nurturing an intense commitment to learning and investing resources and time to incorporate learning into managerial strategies.…”