The impact of telehealth technology on user perception of wellbeing and social functioning, and the implications for service providers

Abstract

The aim of the project was to evaluate the use of telehealth equipment in the homes of older community-dwelling people, and to review its social and economic impact. A mixed methods approach was adopted, involving interviews, observation and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Overall, the greatest benefit was apparent in those participants with a low familiarity with technology and low digital literacy, where changes in behaviours to prevent an exacerbation of their condition was possible. The user interface design reduced concern about using the technology. Changes achieved were through better compliance with medication and associated understanding of the impact on their vital signs and hence daily activities. This represented an improved health literacy and the economic benefits appear to be linked to that. Less benefit was observed by those who had been self-monitoring previously. A greater focus on specific conditions and improved self-management could strengthen the evidence for targeted economic benefits.

The Ethical Governance for the Vulnerability of Care Robots: Interactive-Distance-Oriented Flexible Design

“…These vulnerabilities are, in general, products of traditional mind-body dualistic values, which can directly bring about care ethics issues. The ethics of care for older adults focus on autonomy, safety, respect, trust, privacy and social wellbeing [40,41], emphasizing not only the consequences of actions but also the intrinsic values of moral practice. Tronto identified four elements of the ethics of care [42]: (1) focus, which means identifying the needs of others and meeting them; (2) responsibility, the motivation to care for others; (3) competence, the ability to care for others and; (4) responsiveness, the ability to respond to the needs of others for care by continually providing and adapting caring strategies.…”

The Virtual Doctor Is In: The Effect of Telehealth Visits on Patient Experience

“…First, by being in one's own environment during the experience, there is a sense of familiarity [15] that both the patient and the clinician experience. This provides an opportunity for social connection [16] that may support the patientclinician relationship. For example, attending a virtual visit from one's home enhances the likelihood of selfdisclosure of thoughts and feelings [17,18], which may not occur in a clinical setting.…”

A Post Publication Review of 'The impact of telehealth technology on user perception of wellbeing and social functioning, and the implications for service providers'

“…Overall, the study presented by Burmeister et al (2019) makes invaluable contributions to the literature on telehealth and the older population. In future work, further social functioning impacts ought to be explored and the lessons learned in this study should be formulated into a set of principles for addressing the design, implementation, and ongoing support of telehealth for older persons.…”

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This post publication review discusses the article by Burmeister et al (2019) in which the authors present a study evaluating the social, economic, and wellbeing impacts of telehealth technology in the homes of community-dwelling older persons, highlighting its contribution and identifying areas for further research. The article centres on one particular project in which telehealth monitoring systems were used in homes in regional New South Wales.

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“…The work reviewed here creates knowledge which helps to soften the introduction of telehealth technology into the homes of the older population. Burmeister et al (2019) further our understanding of the particular access needs of such communities, this is essential to improving user wellbeing (Pakrasi, Burmeister, Coppola, McCallum, & Loeb, 2015), social support (Banbury et al, 2020), and health literacy (Banbury et al, 2020) with telehealth technology.…”