ABSTRACT
We developed a secure, web-based system for parent-professional and inter-professional communication. The aim was to improve communication in the care of children with cerebral palsy. We conducted a six-month trial of the system in three Dutch health-care regions. The participants were the parents of 30 cerebral palsy patients and 120 professional staff involved in their care. Information about system usage was extracted from the system's database. The experience of the parents and professionals was evaluated by a questionnaire after six months. The system proved to be technically robust and reliable. A total of 21 parents (70%) and 66 professionals (55%) used the system. The parents submitted 111 questions and 59 responses, with a mean of 5 questions (range 1-17) and 3 responses (range 1-9) per parent. The professionals submitted 79 questions and 237 responses, with a mean of 2 questions (range 1-8) and 4 responses (range 1-23) per professional. Most parents (95%) and some professionals (30%) reported value in using the system, which ranged from efficiency and accessibility to flexibility and transparency. The web-based communication system was technically feasible and produced improved parent-professional and inter-professional communication. It may be especially valuable if frequent interventions or consultations about a child's care are required, involving complex care networks of different professionals and organisations.
Subject(s)
Cerebral Palsy/therapy , Communication , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/methods , Internet , Professional-Family Relations , Adult , Attitude of Health Personnel , Child , Child, Preschool , Consumer Behavior , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Interprofessional Relations , Male , Netherlands , Parents/psychology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mainly consists of (psycho) social support and advice on activities of daily living. We evaluated the effects of tele-treatment in addition to the conventional method of care in four patients with ALS. A Web application was built with information about ALS and a link to the tele-treatment environment. The latter contained a chat room and a link to start personal computer (PC)-based videoconferencing with a rehabilitation physician. The effect on quality of care was evaluated by questionnaires and interviews. The interviews showed that patients were satisfied with tele-treatment and experienced a pleasant contact during teleconsultations. The rehabilitation physician experienced acceptance of tele-treatment by the patients and a decrease in the time needed for travelling. Tele-treatment was especially suitable for discussing the practical issues about ALS. On the other hand, psychosocial and emotional issues still needed to be discussed during traditional face-to-face contact. Therefore tele-treatment should only be given in addition to face-to-face contact, rather than as a replacement for it.
