General practice perspective on the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia using an Action Research approach: a qualitative study

Abstract

ObjectivesTelehealth has emerged as a viable and safe mode of care delivery in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, electronic general practice data reveal differences in uptake and consultation mode, which we hypothesise may be due to potential barriers impacting on quality of care. We aimed to identify the benefits and barriers of telehealth use in general practice, using an ‘Action Research’ approach involving general practitioners (GPs) and general practice stakeholders.DesignQualitative focus group performed within a broader Action Research methodology.SettingA focus group was held in August 2021, with general practice participants from Victoria, Australia.ParticipantsThe study consisted of a purposive sample of 11 participants, including GPs (n=4), representatives from three primary health networks (n=4) and data custodian representatives (n=3) who were part of a project stakeholder group guided by an Action Research approach.MethodsSemistructured interview questions were used to guide focus group discussions via videoconference, which were recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. The transcript was analysed using an inductive thematic approach.ResultsEmerging themes included evolution of telehealth, barriers to telehealth (privacy, eligibility, technology, quality of care, sociodemographic and residential aged care barriers) and benefits of telehealth (practice, quality of care, sociodemographic and residential aged care benefits).ConclusionThe findings highlight a range of barriers to telehealth that impact general practice, but also provide justification for the continuation and development of telehealth. These results provide important context to support data-driven population-based findings on telehealth uptake. They also highlight areas of quality improvement for the enhancement of telehealth as a valuable tool for routine general practice patient care.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Primary Care: A Scoping Review

“…There have been some changes in service redesign found in our Scoping review, which has been tailored to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus (15,16), in the form of rapid incorporation of telemedicine (14,(17)(18)(19). However, as with most medical innovations, there have been a few barriers to virtual consultation, in the form of privacy, eligibility, quality of the technology, quality of care, sociodemographic, and safety (20,21,37,38).…”

“…Subsequently, the possible shortcoming of this type of consultation style was soon realized. As mentioned by Hardie et al [20], there have been some barriers to virtual consultation, in the form of privacy, eligibility, quality of the technology, quality of care, sociodemographic, and safety, further echoed by Rosen et al, who discusses methods in which to minimize these effects, by potentially enhanced safety-netting, and training and support for staff, to help minimize risks of virtual consultation [21].…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the residential aged care sector, responses and recommendations: A systematic scoping review

“…Whilst residents' access to services posed an issue during the COVID-19 pandemic, increased use of information and communications technology (ICT) occurred for diagnosis, treatment and social engagement [15,[91][92][93][94]. However, a small Australian qualitative study (n = 11, including 4 General Practitioners) highlighted barriers for telehealth use in RACFs during COVID-19 [95].…”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People With Cognitive Impairment Residing in Aged Care Facilities: An Integrative Review

“…61 However, a small Australian qualitative study (n = 11, including 4 General Practitioners) highlighted barriers for telehealth use in residential aged care during COVID-19. 62…”