Telenursing: A viable nursing response to the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

@#The COVID-19 pandemic has put the delivery of vital health and nursing services uniquely challenged. Restrictions in social mobility, fear of contraction, and risks of transmission posed by this pandemic prompted healthcare institutions to deliver health care services remotely using information and telecommunications technologies, also known as telehealth. Telenursing is one of the components of telehealth. Although there are several strides in the use of nursing-related technologies in the country, telenursing is not a mainstream nursing service. Exploring telenursing and articulating the roles of nurses in this care delivery model is imperative given the current paradigm shift to telehealth and telemedicine in the healthcare system. This article provides a context for telenursing use in the local setting by providing factors affecting its implementation. A literature search was conducted to identify the benefits, challenges, requirements, competencies, activities, and outcomes of telenursing. Despite the limitations posed by this pandemic, telenursing offers a viable, cost-effective, and patient-centered approach in health services delivery. The implications in nursing practice, education, and research are explained.