Evaluation of the experience with the use of telemedicine in a home dialysis program—a qualitative and quantitative study

Abstract

Introduction Assisted home hemodialysis is a therapeutic modality for patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease who require dialysis replacement therapy and have concomitant health limitations that prevent them from attending a satellite dialysis unit or performing their own treatment. Objective The main objective of this study was to evaluate whether telemedicine provided through telemonitoring can improve the ongoing relationship between the doctor, the nurse and the patient. Method This prospective longitudinal, qualitative and quantitative study analyzes the impact of telemedicine through an evaluation of the experiences of patients and nurses. During the study, we performed remote weekly monitoring for 6 months. Results A total of 17 patients and 12 nurses were included. We observed that the patients and nurses had positive experiences with telemonitoring and highlighted feelings of being cared for and improved confidence, although they indicated that telemonitoring does not replace face-to-face visits. Conclusion Telemonitoring is a useful tool to increase satisfaction with and confidence in home hemodialysis.

Health Care Professionals’ Experiences and Perspectives on Using Telehealth for Home-based Palliative Care: Scoping Review

“…The sample size of the studies included ranged from 4 to 111 participants, and in 12 papers, the samples consisted of fewer than 10 participants. In all but 1 [ 68 ] study, the samples consisted of nurses with various specialties [ 47 - 67 , 69 - 75 ]; in 13 studies, physicians were included [ 47 , 49 , 51 , 52 , 54 , 63 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 75 ]; and in 3 studies, hospice workers (ie, nurses, physicians, social workers, and spiritual care providers) were included [ 53 , 56 , 64 ]. Eleven studies had multiprofessional perspectives, including HCPs within rehabilitation, allied health, residential care, and palliative care [ 57 , 66 ]; case managers, coordinators, and respiratory therapists [ 58 ]; physician consultants [ 59 ]; telehealth providers or technologists [ 69 , 75 ]; and rehabilitation physicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, dieticians, and social workers [ 49 , 62 , 71 ].…”

“…A frequency table illustrating which papers were included in which descriptive themes was made (Table 1). [66], Scofano et al [67], and Weck et al [68] Easy to use but technological issues undermine confidence 18 Bonsignore et al [69], Collier et al [60], Funderskov et al [49] Hackett et al [70], Helleman et al [71], Oelschlägel et al [62], Read Paul et al [59], Shulver et al [57], Harding et al [52], Whitten et al [56], Hochstenbach et al [50], Lind et al [51], Nguyen et al [48], van Gurp et al [72], Stern et al [55], Haydon et al [66], Scofano et al [67], and Weck et al [68] Adds value but personal and organizational barriers challenge adoption 23 Collier et al [60], Hackett et al [70], Harding et al [52], Hochstenbach et al [50], Lind et al [51], McCall et al [61], Adam et al [54], Funderskov et al [49], Read Paul et al [59], Whitten et al [53], Miyazaki et al [58], Tieman et al [73], van Gurp et al [74], Nguyen et al [48], Whitten et al [56], Oelschlägel et al [62], Shulver et al [57], Alodhayani et al [75], Bhargava et al...…”

“…Thirteen papers used a qualitative design [49][50][51]53,54,57,60,62,66,70,72,74,75], 12 papers used a mixed or multimethods design [47,52,55,56,58,59,61,64,[67][68][69]71], and 4 papers used a quantitative design [48,63,65,73]. The characteristics of the studies included are shown in Multimedia Appendix 4.…”

“…Video-based technology (n=16) was the most frequently used telehealth app in HBPC [47][48][49]53,[56][57][58][59][64][65][66][67][68][72][73][74]. Teleconsultations among patients, families, and HCPs were used to discuss patients' needs, concerns, symptoms, and other problems and to give patients and their families comfort and advice.…”

“…In most cases, they did not perceive the use of telehealth as burdensome, time consuming, or onerous. Rather, they were enthusiastic about new technologies and felt competent in troubleshooting technical problems [47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56]64,67,68]. HCPs considered that they had sufficient skills to perform key palliative care activities in the context of telehealth, such as video visits [47,57,58,68].…”