Patients' experiences of eHealth in palliative care: An integrative review

Abstract

Background: With a growing world population, a longer life expectancy, and more deaths due to chronic diseases, the need for palliative care is increasing. Palliative care aims to alleviate suffering and to promot e well-being for patients with progressive, incurable disease or injury. E - Health entails us ing of information and communication technology for healthcare provision . I t is unclear to how patients experience use of eHealth technology within palliative care Methods: The aim of this study was to describe patients’ experiences of eHealth in palliative care. A systematic integrative review w as performed using six databases: Cinahl Complete; MEDLINE; PubMed; Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection; Nursing and Allied Health; and PsycINFO . Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria of adult patients in palliative care, English language , published 2014-2019: comprising 397 patients . S ix studies were from European countries, four from North America, one from South America and one from Oceania . Seven were feasibility or pilot studies. Results: The findings are synthesized in the main theme: E-health applications – promoting communication on patients’ and families’ terms , and three sub- themes: usability and feasibility of eHealth applications; symptom control and individualized care; and use of eHealth applications increased sense of security and patient safety. Patients ’ experiences were that eHealth promoted individualized care, sense of security, better symptom management and participation in care . Communication was facilitated by the inherent flexibility provided by technology . Conclusions: E-Health applications seem promising in promoting equal, individualized care, and may be a tool to endorse accessibility and patient participation in palliative care settings. I ndications are that eHealth communication resulted in patients and families receiving more information, which contributed to experiences of patient safety and feelings of security. At organizational and societal levels, eHealth may contribute to sustainable development and more efficient use of resources.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected patients’ experience of pain management therapy?

“…Video and telephone communication allowed participants to gain the most out of their experience by enabling them to engage with the pain management therapy from a safe and comfortable environment, and reduced the cost and practical barriers associated with travel. These findings support previous literature which proposes eHealth improves patient’s comfort 54 and increases accessibility. 47 Therefore, many patients benefited from the move to eHealth delivery and embraced this change, as they felt it improved their pain experience.…”

Mixed methods evaluation to explore participant experiences of a pilot randomized trial to facilitate self‐management of people living with stroke: Inspiring virtual enabled resources following vascular events (iVERVE)

“…The use of digital health, including mobile applications and electronic health technology/interventions is becoming more popular. Its popularity is based on the potential to maximize equitable access to healthcare resources, minimize expenses to users and promote user flexibility and individualized care 31 . People with stroke have reported interest in the use of technology for health information and self‐management, 32,33 indicating a promising potential alternative to more traditional means of face‐to‐face education and care provision.…”

“…Its popularity is based on the potential to maximize equitable access to healthcare resources, minimize expenses to users and promote user flexibility and individualized care. 31 People with stroke have reported interest in the use of technology for health information and self-management, 32,33 indicating a promising potential alternative to more traditional means of face-to-face education and care provision. The focus on using technology in stroke is further emphasized by a number of published protocols integrating text messages, emails or use of applications into interventions to increase physical activity and improve diet, 34 and focus on stroke prevention and self-management ability, 35 or reduce poststroke depression.…”