Telemedicine in specialised palliative care: Healthcare professionals' and their perspectives on video consultations—A qualitative study

Abstract

Aims and objectives To explore the advantages and disadvantages of using video consultations, as experienced by specialised palliative care healthcare professionals, who are involved in palliative care at home. Background One challenge in the work of specialised palliative care teams is the substantial resources used in terms of time and transport to and from the patient's home. Video consultations may be a solution for real‐time specialised palliative home care. Designs Hermeneutic, postphenomenology. Methods An explorative qualitative study utilising data from field notes of an autobiographical diary, participant observations and semi‐structured interviews with healthcare professionals. The COREQ guideline was used for reporting the study. See Appendix S1. The data collection took place in patients' homes and at the Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. Results Eight participants (n = 8); five community nurses; and three specialised palliative care team members—a head physician, a physiotherapist and a nurse—participated in the study. The healthcare professionals' knowledge was based on n = 82 video consultations with 11 patients. The range of video consultations was 3–18 per patient. The use of tablets in video consultations facilitated direct palliative care and led the community nurses and the specialised palliative care team nurse to co‐operate. Potential barriers against using video consultations are the discussions about personal, and private issues regarding the illness, while family members are present. Conclusions Video consultations in specialised palliative home care are feasible, and the technology can facilitate multidisciplinary participation and co‐operation among healthcare professionals. The continuous use of video consultations over time may increase the quality of specialised palliative home care. Relevance to clinical practice The use of video consultations can provide direct specialised palliative care over distance involving healthcare professionals, patients and their relatives.

Palliative Care for Cancer Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic, With Special Focus on Lung Cancer

“…Previously, the use of telemedicine in palliative care showed improvements in symptom management, comfort with care, and patient and family satisfaction ( 35 ). It also facilitated cooperation between the community nurses and the specialized palliative care team nurse ( 36 ). Still, potential barriers were technology-related complications in the elderly and frail population ( 35 ) and private issues regarding the illness, with family members present ( 36 ).…”

“…It also facilitated cooperation between the community nurses and the specialized palliative care team nurse ( 36 ). Still, potential barriers were technology-related complications in the elderly and frail population ( 35 ) and private issues regarding the illness, with family members present ( 36 ). Moreover, patients, as well as physicians, did not always feel comfortable with non-face-to-face physician care.…”

Using the technology acceptance model to explore health provider and administrator perceptions of the usefulness and ease of using technology in palliative care

“…A limited number of studies have explored technology acceptance within palliative care. Some of the evaluated technologies allowed for monitoring and assessing symptoms [7,18,20,21], while others for video consultations, exclusively [22]. Among these studies, factors supporting acceptance included demonstrated evidence that technology could enhance patient outcomes/experiences [20,21] and could act as an adjunct to in-person care [7,18].…”

“…Among these studies, factors supporting acceptance included demonstrated evidence that technology could enhance patient outcomes/experiences [20,21] and could act as an adjunct to in-person care [7,18]. Technologies that were tailored to meet the specific needs of different palliative care settings [22] also supported provider acceptance. Conversely, perceived lack of clinical relevance (of aspects of the technology) [20], lack of digital infrastructure to support technology [7,18], and privacy concerns [22] were notable barriers to technology acceptance.…”

“…Technologies that were tailored to meet the specific needs of different palliative care settings [22] also supported provider acceptance. Conversely, perceived lack of clinical relevance (of aspects of the technology) [20], lack of digital infrastructure to support technology [7,18], and privacy concerns [22] were notable barriers to technology acceptance. Although health care providers were included in the palliative care studies previously mentioned, health administrator perspectives were excluded.…”