The use of videoconferencing in nursing for people in their homes

Abstract

The aim of this literature review is to bring to the forefront knowledge about the suitability of videoconferencing in nursing for patients and their families living at home. A systematic literature review that included studies of videoconferencing in nursing care. Inclusion criteria were original studies relevant to concept of study. Computerized bibliographic databases (PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO) were searched from January 2008 to October 2016. In total, 325 articles were identified. Eight articles (1539 participants) met the inclusion criteria, and were finally included. The eight articles covered videoconferencing used in follow-up care for patients living in their homes after surgery, postpartum, chronic illnesses, families with premature infants, and children with cancer. A conventional content analysis was conducted. The results show that the success of videoconferencing depends on satisfying network access. Nurses as well as patients thought videoconferencing was similar to meeting in person. Videoconferencing seems to support person-centred nursing, promote selfmanagement and motivate patients and families to engage in their health. The use of videoconferencing requires further organization of the nursing practice. The study indicates that videoconferencing can be a suitable alternative to traditional nursing follow-up when network access and technology function properly and the nursing service is well organized. Videoconferencing seems to underpin person-centred nursing. Knowledge gaps identified, more research needed as bases for assessment of videoconferencing suitability in nursing for individual persons in different treatment situations.

Simulated Video Consultations as a Learning Tool in Undergraduate Nursing: Students’ Perceptions

“…The main limitations of our study are related to technical problems during simulated video consultations, and these problems were aggravated by the internet connection overload during the COVID-19 confinement, as both tele-working and online classrooms were widespread. However, technical problems usually occur also in real-life video consultations, and their effectiveness is related to adequate network access and the correct functioning of technology [21,22,56]. Lastly, the high student satisfaction with simulated video consultations obtained in our study should be confirmed by other studies, so more research is needed in this field.…”

“…Before this pandemic, video consultations were mainly used with patients who had problems accessing the healthcare services [18], for medical consultations in primary and hospital care [19,20], and for chronic disease conditions [21][22][23]. In addition, video consultations were also used for communication between healthcare professionals and clinicians [24].…”

Introducing Videoconferencing on Tablet Computers in Nurse–Patient Communication: Technical and Training Challenges

“…The use of information and communication technology (ICT) has a long history [ 10 ]. Although ICT like VC are more commonly used in surgical treatment, there are few studies on the use of VC as a tool in primary cancer care [ 11 – 13 ]. Accessibility to healthcare can be promoted by VC [ 12 – 14 ].…”

Oncology nurses’ experiences with the implementation and trial of video communication in the follow-up of cancer patients in primary care: a pilot study in Norway

“…The use of VC can give patients access to health care personnel without staff or patients having to spend time and effort traveling. Compared to verbal telephone follow-up, VC can also generate richer, more in-depth conversation by allowing the use of body language, and research has shown that patients in community care have found that VC counseling and guidance is similar to faceto-face meetings [7,[16][17][18][19][20][21].…”

“…Despite the increasing number of studies on the implementation, training and use of telehealth using VC as a tool in primary care, few studies have been conducted on the implementation process for home-based cancer care [6,7,20,32]. Therefore, there is a need for knowledge about the implementation and influence of VC in follow-up care.…”