Patients’ Experiences of Telehealth in Palliative Home Care: Scoping Review

Abstract

Background Telehealth is increasingly being used in home care and could be one measure to support the needs of home-based patients receiving palliative care. However, no previous scoping review has mapped existing studies on the use of telehealth for patients in palliative home care. Objective The aim of this study was to map and assess published studies on the use of telehealth for patients in palliative home care. Methods A scoping review was conducted using the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley. Reporting was guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. A systematic and comprehensive search of Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health was performed for studies published between January 2000 and October 2018. Two authors independently assessed eligibility and extracted data. Results The review included 22 papers from 19 studies. Four thematic groupings were identified among the included papers: easy and effortless use of telehealth regardless of the current health condition, visual features that enhance communication and care via telehealth, symptom management and self-management promotion by telehealth, and perceptions of improved palliative care at home. Conclusions The use of telehealth in palliative home care seems to be feasible, improving access to health care professionals at home and enhancing feelings of security and safety. The visual features of telehealth seem to allow a genuine relationship with health care professionals. However, there are contradicting results on whether the use of telehealth improves burdensome symptoms and quality of life. Future research should investigate the experiences of using telehealth among patients with life-limiting illness other than cancer and patients aged 85 years or older. More research is needed to increase the body of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of telehealth on symptoms and quality of life.

Patients' experiences of eHealth in palliative care: An integrative review

“…Another bene t found in our review was that despite life-threatening illness and being close to the end of life, patients could take an active role and govern their own care if they want to, thus promoting individualized care. The use of technology has potential to increase access to healthcare and possibly provide savings (53), however, implications of economics and effectiveness have not yet been established (18,21). Allsop et al (12) describe that patients in palliative care are willing to try new technologies as part of their care.…”

“…Exclusion criteria were studies published before 2014, participants under age 18, literature reviews and studies in languages other than English or Swedish, see Table 2. The ve-year limitation was decided on due to the rapidly evolving technological advances and to evaluate the latest evidence in the eld (21). Pediatric palliative care for persons under 18 is a new subspeciality with heterogenous services, making comparisons challenging (33).…”

“…Findings indicate that eHealth is an emerging eld with potential to improve comfort and quality of life, however, the validity of applications is rarely discussed and respecting patient preferences for forms of care requires further attention. A scoping review underscores that eHealth applications seem feasible, however, that telehealth in relation to burdensome symptoms and wellbeing warrants further investigation, together with studies of effectiveness in eHealth interventions (21).…”

Patients’ experiences of eHealth in palliative care: an integrative review

“…Findings indicate that eHealth is an emerging field with potential to improve comfort and quality of life, however, the validity of applications is rarely discussed and respecting patient preferences for forms of care requires further attention. A scoping review underscores that eHealth applications seem feasible, however, that telehealth in relation to burdensome symptoms and wellbeing warrants further investigation, together with studies of effectiveness in eHealth interventions [21].…”

Digital Health Interventions in Palliative Care: A Systematic Meta-Review and Evidence Synthesis

“…42,43 Two reviews emerged after our searches had been completed, including a rapid review on video-consultations in palliative care in context of COVID-19, 44 and a scoping review of patient experiences of telehealth for palliative care at home. 45 Neither would have been eligible, as they were not systematic reviews, however we suggest that future meta-reviews include all review types.…”