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A qualitative study of hospital and community providers' experiences with digitalization to facilitate hospital-to-home transitions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Singh, Hardeep; Gray, Carolyn Steele; Nelson, Michelle L A; Nie, Jason X; Thombs, Rachel; Armas, Alana; Fortin, Christian; Molla Ghanbari, Hedieh; Tang, Terence.
  • Singh H; Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Gray CS; Bridgepoint Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Nelson MLA; Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Nie JX; Bridgepoint Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Thombs R; Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Armas A; Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
  • Fortin C; Bridgepoint Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Molla Ghanbari H; Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Tang T; Bridgepoint Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
PLoS One ; 17(8): e0272224, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1993486
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered substantial changes to the healthcare context, including the rapid adoption of digital health to facilitate hospital-to-home transitions. This study aimed to i) explore the experiences of hospital and community providers with delivering transitional care during the COVID-19 pandemic; ii) understand how rapid digitalization in healthcare has helped or hindered hospital-to-home transitions during the COVID-19 pandemic; and, iii) explore expectations of which elements of technology use may be sustained post-pandemic.

METHODS:

Using a pragmatic qualitative descriptive approach, remote interviews with healthcare providers involved in hospital-to-home transitions in Ontario, Canada, were conducted. Interviews were analyzed using a team-based rapid qualitative analysis approach to generate timely results. Visual summary maps displaying key concepts/ideas were created for each interview and revised based on input from multiple team members. Maps that displayed similar concepts were then combined to create a final map, forming the themes and subthemes.

RESULTS:

Sixteen healthcare providers participated, of which 11 worked in a hospital, and five worked in a community setting. COVID-19 was reported to have profoundly impacted healthcare providers, patients, and their caregivers and influenced the communication processes. There were several noted opportunities for technology to support transitions.

INTERPRETATION:

Several challenges with technology use were highlighted, which could impact post-pandemic sustainability. However, the perceived opportunities for technology in supporting transitions indicate the need to investigate the optimal role of technology in the transition workflow.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Transitional Care / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0272224

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Transitional Care / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0272224