Training for virtual care: What do the experts think?

Abstract

Introduction Virtual care has expanded during COVID-19 and enabled continued access to healthcare services. As with the introduction of any new technology in healthcare delivery, the preparation of healthcare providers for adopting and using such systems is imperative. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore experts’ ascribed opinions on healthcare providers’ continuing professional development (CPD) needs in virtual care. Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of key informants representing Canadian provincial and national organizations with expertise in virtual care delivery. Results Three main areas of knowledge, skills, and abilities that would be most helpful for healthcare providers in preparing to adopt and use virtual care were identified. The use of technology necessitates knowledge of how to integrate technology and virtual care in the practice workflow. This includes knowing how to use the technology and the privacy and security of the technology. Providers need to be able to adapt their clinical skills to virtual care and build rapport through good communication with patients. Virtual care is not appropriate for all visits, therefore providers need to understand when an in-person visit is necessary with respect to the nature of the appointment, as well as contextual factors for individual patients. Finally, providers need to adapt their examination skills to virtual care. Discussion Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual care will have a continuing role in enhancing continuity of care through access that is more convenient. Key informants identified barriers and challenges in adopting and using virtual care effectively, fundamental knowledge, skills and/or abilities required, and important topics and/or educational experiences to guide CPD program development on virtual care for healthcare providers.

A Delphi Study on Identifying Competencies in Virtual Healthcare for Healthcare Professionals

“…When health practitioners are both professional and have ethical considerations, health information management skills (C97-C102), and data security and privacy (C103-C107), then healthcare is "guaranteed to have quality of care, sustainable costs, professional liability and respect of patient privacy, and data protection and confidentiality" [27]. Clinical expertise and decision-making (C15-C21) allow "healthcare providers to have the knowledge and ability to determine when virtual care is appropriate" [28]. According to HRRS, health equity in virtual care (C22-C25) and virtual health leadership and management (C26-C34) competencies will help health practitioners understand the role of virtual healthcare and aid in meeting the needs of marginalized communities [29].…”

An Approach to the Design and Development of an Accredited Continuing Professional Development e-Learning Module on Virtual Care

“…The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reported that between March to September 2020, the percentage of patients availing of virtual care services increased from 6% to 56% [1]. Virtual care refers to the delivery of healthcare services digitally or at a distance using Information and Communications Technology [2,3,4]. During COVID-19 a variety of virtual care types were used with synchronous and asynchronous appointments being the most common [3,4].…”

“…Virtual care refers to the delivery of healthcare services digitally or at a distance using Information and Communications Technology [2,3,4]. During COVID-19 a variety of virtual care types were used with synchronous and asynchronous appointments being the most common [3,4]. Synchronous virtual care refers to communication between healthcare provider and patient that occurs in real time and can include use of telephone and/or videoconferencing.…”

“…Synchronous virtual care refers to communication between healthcare provider and patient that occurs in real time and can include use of telephone and/or videoconferencing. Asynchronous communication does not occur live and may include the use of e-mail messaging, messages left for patients in a portal site, and e-consultations [3,4,5]. Considering the goal of reducing COVID-19 exposure during the recent global pandemic, virtual care proved to be most effective in that it minimized exposure and risk to healthcare providers by reducing movement of people [2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

“…Asynchronous communication does not occur live and may include the use of e-mail messaging, messages left for patients in a portal site, and e-consultations [3,4,5]. Considering the goal of reducing COVID-19 exposure during the recent global pandemic, virtual care proved to be most effective in that it minimized exposure and risk to healthcare providers by reducing movement of people [2][3][4][5][6][7]. In addition, virtual care helped patients stay home who may have otherwise traveled to a healthcare site and incurred risk of unnecessary exposure [3,4,6,7].…”