An evaluation of the use of Telehealth within palliative care settings across Scotland

TY - JOUR

T1 - An evaluation of the use of Telehealth within palliative care settings across Scotland

A1 - Johnston,Bridget

A1 - Kidd,Lisa

A1 - Wengstrom,Yvonne

A1 - Kearney,Nora

AU - Johnston,Bridget

AU - Kidd,Lisa

AU - Wengstrom,Yvonne

AU - Kearney,Nora

PY - 2012/3

Y1 - 2012/3

N2 - There is a lack of evidence-based research in the use of Telehealth within palliative care in the UK, particularly in Scotland. The aim of this project was to evaluate the current use of Telehealth applications within palliative care across Scotland, and how these and future applications are perceived by patients, carers and professionals. This paper reports on the qualitative findings from focus groups with patients and carers in three geographical areas in Scotland, and individual interviews with key stakeholders from across Scotland, who currently work within areas of high and low Telehealth activity. The key findings indicated that Telehealth initiatives are welcomed by patients and carers but that these should be an adjunct to clinical care rather than an alternative. The stakeholder interviews revealed several notable differences between those working within areas of high and low Telehealth activity. Principally, areas of high Telehealth activity appear to be driven by national and local policy and seem to benefit from a greater level of investment in Telehealth equipment and facilities than in the more central, and hence accessible, parts of Scotland.

AB - There is a lack of evidence-based research in the use of Telehealth within palliative care in the UK, particularly in Scotland. The aim of this project was to evaluate the current use of Telehealth applications within palliative care across Scotland, and how these and future applications are perceived by patients, carers and professionals. This paper reports on the qualitative findings from focus groups with patients and carers in three geographical areas in Scotland, and individual interviews with key stakeholders from across Scotland, who currently work within areas of high and low Telehealth activity. The key findings indicated that Telehealth initiatives are welcomed by patients and carers but that these should be an adjunct to clinical care rather than an alternative. The stakeholder interviews revealed several notable differences between those working within areas of high and low Telehealth activity. Principally, areas of high Telehealth activity appear to be driven by national and local policy and seem to benefit from a greater level of investment in Telehealth equipment and facilities than in the more central, and hence accessible, parts of Scotland.

KW - Evaluation studies

KW - Focus groups

KW - Qualitative

KW - Telehealth

KW - Telemedicine

U2 - 10.1177/0269216311398698

DO - 10.1177/0269216311398698

M1 - Article

JO - Palliative Medicine

JF - Palliative Medicine

SN - 0269-2163

IS - 2

VL - 26

SP - 152

EP - 161

ER -