The patient experience of telehealth access and clinical encounters in Australian health care during COVID-19: implications for enhancing integrated care
Journal of Integrated Care
; 2022.
Article
in English
| Scopus | ID: covidwho-1699732
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
Telehealth consultations are likely to continue while living with COVID-19 and the risk of other pandemics. Greater understanding of patient perceptions is important in order to inform future integrated care models involving telehealth. Design/methodology/approach:
An interpretative qualitative study. Fifteen, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with diverse range of community dwelling patients who attended outpatient clinics at The John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.Findings:
Key themes were identified (1) telehealth is valuable in a pandemic;(2) telehealth accessibility can be challenging;(3) there are variations in care experiences, especially when visual feedback is lacking;(4) telehealth for acute and complex care needs may lead to gaps and (5) considerations towards the future of telehealth, beyond a pandemic. Research limitations/implications There is a shortfall in evidence of the patient experience of integrated care within a telehealth framework. The results provided practical insights into how telehealth services can play a greater role in integrated care. Practical implications Apart from the need for affordable access to high-speed data for basic Internet access, the author posit the need for patient and clinician training towards promoting communication that is underpinned by choice, trust and shared decision-making. Originality/value Telehealth is important towards keeping patients safe during COVID-19. Key findings extend knowledge of the practical implications need to promote integrated telehealth systems. While there is a benefit in extending telehealth to more preventative activities, there is also a need for greater service coordination and sharing of information between treating clinicians. Overall the results highlight telehealth consultations to be an effective means of treating well-known conditions and for follow-up rather than for acute conditions. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
Scopus
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Integrated Care
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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