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Zhong Y, Hahne J, Wang X, Wang X, Wu Y, Zhang X, Liu X. Telehealth Care Through Internet Hospitals in China: Qualitative Interview Study of Physicians' Views on Access, Expectations, and Communication. J Med Internet Res 2024; 26:e47523. [PMID: 38551618 PMCID: PMC11015369 DOI: 10.2196/47523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Internet hospitals in China are an emerging medical service model similar to other telehealth models used worldwide. Internet hospitals are currently in a stage of rapid development, giving rise to a series of new opportunities and challenges for patient care. Little research has examined the views of chronic disease physicians regarding internet hospitals in China. OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore the experience and views of chronic disease physicians at 3 tertiary hospitals in Changsha, China, regarding opportunities and challenges in internet hospital care. METHODS We conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with physicians (n=26) who had experience working in internet hospitals affiliated with chronic disease departments in 3 tertiary hospitals in Changsha, Hunan province, south central China. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by content analysis using NVivo software (version 11; Lumivero). RESULTS Physicians emphasized that internet hospitals expand opportunities to conduct follow-up care and health education for patients with chronic illnesses. However, physicians described disparities in access for particular groups of patients, such as patients who are older, patients with lower education levels, patients with limited internet or technology access, and rural patients. Physicians also perceived a gap between patients' expectations and the reality of limitations regarding both physicians' availability and the scope of services offered by internet hospitals, which raised challenges for doctor-patient boundaries and trust. Physicians noted challenges in doctor-patient communication related to comprehension and informed consent in internet hospital care. CONCLUSIONS This study explored the experience and views of physicians in 3 tertiary hospitals in Changsha, China, regarding access to care, patients' expectations versus the reality of services, and doctor-patient communication in internet hospital care. Findings from this study highlight the need for physician training in telehealth communication skills, legislation regulating informed consent in telehealth care, public education clarifying the scope of internet hospital services, and design of internet hospitals that is informed by the needs of patient groups with barriers to access, such as older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqiong Zhong
- School of Humanities, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jessica Hahne
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center for Medical Ethics, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xuxi Wang
- School of Humanities, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Wu
- School of Humanities, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Medical Humanities Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xing Liu
- Medical Humanities Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Delivery of cancer care via an outpatient telephone support line: a cross-sectional study of oncology nursing perspectives on quality and challenges. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:9079-9091. [PMID: 35980464 PMCID: PMC9387415 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07327-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Patient support lines (PSLs) assist in triaging clinical problems, addressing patient queries, and navigating a complex multi-disciplinary oncology team. While providing support and training to the nursing staff who operate these lines is key, there is limited data on their experience and feedback. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of oncology nurses' (ONs') perspectives on the provision of care via PSLs at a tertiary referral cancer center via an anonymous, descriptive survey. Measures collected included nursing and patient characteristics, nature of questions addressed, perceived patient and nursing satisfaction with the service, common challenges faced, and initiatives to improve the patient and nursing experience. The survey was delivered online, with electronic data collection, and analysis is reported descriptively. RESULTS Seventy-one percent (30/42) of eligible ONs responded to the survey. The most common disease site, stage, and symptom addressed by PSLs were breast cancer, metastatic disease, and pain, respectively. The most common reported issue was treatment-related toxicity (96.7%, 29/30). Sixty-seven percent (20/30) of respondents were satisfied with the care provided by the service; however, many areas for potential improvement were identified. Fifty-nine percent (17/29) of respondents recommended redefining PSLs' responsibilities for improved use, with 75% (6/8) ONs identifying high call volumes due to inappropriate questions as a barrier to care. Sixty percent (18/30) of ONs reported having hospital-specific management plans for common issues would improve the care provided by the PSL. CONCLUSION Despite high rates of satisfaction with the care provided by the PSL, our study identified several important areas for improvement which we feel warrant further investigation.
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Santos AD, Caine V, Robson PJ, Watson L, Easaw JC, Petrovskaya O. Oncology Patients' Experiences With Novel Electronic Patient Portals to Support Care and Treatment: Qualitative Study With Early Users and Nonusers of Portals in Alberta, Canada. JMIR Cancer 2021; 7:e32609. [PMID: 34822338 PMCID: PMC8663539 DOI: 10.2196/32609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With the current proliferation of clinical information technologies internationally, patient portals are increasingly being adopted in health care. Research, conducted mostly in the United States, shows that oncology patients have a keen interest in portals to gain access to and track comprehensive personal health information. In Canada, patient portals are relatively new and research into their use and effects is currently emerging. There is a need to understand oncology patients’ experiences of using eHealth tools and to ground these experiences in local sociopolitical contexts of technology implementation, while seeking to devise strategies to enhance portal benefits. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of oncology patients and their family caregivers when using electronic patient portals to support their health care needs. We focused on how Alberta’s unique, 2-portal context shapes experiences of early portal adopters and nonadopters, in anticipation of a province-wide rollout of a clinical information system in oncology facilities. Methods This qualitative descriptive study employed individual semistructured interviews and demographic surveys with 11 participants. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed thematically. The study was approved by the University of Alberta Human Research Ethics Board. Results Participants currently living with nonactive cancer discussed an online patient portal as one among many tools (including the internet, phone, videoconferencing, print-out reports) available to make sense of their diagnosis and treatment, maintain connections with health care providers, and engage with information. In the Fall of 2020, most participants had access to 1 of 2 of Alberta’s patient portals and identified ways in which this portal was supportive (or not) of their ongoing health care needs. Four major themes, reflecting the participants’ broader concerns within which the portal use was occurring, were generated from the data: (1) experiencing doubt and the desire for transparency; (2) seeking to become an informed and active member of the health care team; (3) encountering complexity; and (4) emphasizing the importance of the patient–provider relationship. Conclusions Although people diagnosed with cancer and their family caregivers considered an online patient portal as beneficial, they identified several areas that limit how portals support their oncology care. Providers of health care portals are invited to recognize these limitations and work toward addressing them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda D Santos
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Vera Caine
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Paula J Robson
- Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Linda Watson
- Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jacob C Easaw
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Cross Cancer Institute, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Olga Petrovskaya
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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Hopstaken JS, Verweij L, van Laarhoven CJHM, Blijlevens NMA, Stommel MWJ, Hermens RPMG. Effect of Digital Care Platforms on Quality of Care for Oncological Patients and Barriers and Facilitators for Their Implementation: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e28869. [PMID: 34559057 PMCID: PMC8501408 DOI: 10.2196/28869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncological health care services are challenged by the increasing number of cancer survivors, long-term follow-up care, and fragmentation of care. Digital care platforms are potential tools to deliver affordable, patient-centered oncological care. Previous reviews evaluated only one feature of a digital care platform or did not evaluate the effect on enhancement of information, self-efficacy, continuity of care, or patient- and health care provider-reported experiences. Additionally, they have not focused on the barriers and facilitators for implementation of a digital care platform in oncological care. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review was to collect the best available evidence of the effect of a digital care platform on quality of care parameters such as enhancement of available information, self-efficacy, continuity of care, and patient- and health care provider-reported experiences. Additionally, barriers and facilitators for implementation of digital care platforms were analyzed. METHODS The PubMed (Medline), Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for the period from January 2000 to May 2020 for studies assessing the effect of a digital care platform on the predefined outcome parameters in oncological patients and studies describing barriers and facilitators for implementation. Synthesis of the results was performed qualitatively. Barriers and facilitators were categorized according to the framework of Grol and Wensing. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used for critical appraisal of the studies. RESULTS Seventeen studies were included for final analysis, comprising 8 clinical studies on the effectiveness of the digital care platform and 13 studies describing barriers and facilitators. Usage of a digital care platform appeared to enhance the availability of information and self-efficacy. There were no data available on the effect of a digital care platform on the continuity of care. However, based on focus group interviews, digital care platforms could potentially improve continuity of care by optimizing the exchange of patient information across institutes. Patient-reported experiences such as satisfaction with the platform were considerably positive. Most barriers for implementation were identified at the professional level, such as the concern for increased workload and unattended release of medical information to patients. Most facilitators were found at the patient and innovation levels, such as improved patient-doctor communication and patient empowerment. There were few barriers and facilitators mentioned at the economic and political levels. CONCLUSIONS The use of digital care platforms is associated with better quality of care through enhancement of availability of information and increased self-efficacy for oncological patients. The numerous facilitators identified at the patient level illustrate that patients are positive toward a digital care platform. However, despite these favorable results, robust evidence concerning the effectiveness of digital care platforms, especially from high-quality studies, is still lacking. Future studies should therefore aim to further investigate the effectiveness of digital care platforms, and the barriers and facilitators to their implementation at the economic and political levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana S Hopstaken
- Department of Surgery, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Lynn Verweij
- Department of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Cees J H M van Laarhoven
- Department of Surgery, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Nicole M A Blijlevens
- Department of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Martijn W J Stommel
- Department of Surgery, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rosella P M G Hermens
- Department of IQ Healthcare, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Laukka E, Huhtakangas M, Heponiemi T, Kujala S, Kaihlanen AM, Gluschkoff K, Kanste O. Health Care Professionals' Experiences of Patient-Professional Communication Over Patient Portals: Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e21623. [PMID: 33289674 PMCID: PMC7755533 DOI: 10.2196/21623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The popularity of web-based patient-professional communication over patient portals is constantly increasing. Good patient-professional communication is a prerequisite for high-quality care and patient centeredness. Understanding health care professionals’ experiences of web-based patient-professional communication is important as they play a key role in engaging patients to use portals. More information is needed on how patient-professional communication could be supported by patient portals in health care. Objective This systematic review of qualitative studies aims to identify how health care professionals experience web-based patient-professional communication over the patient portals. Methods Abstract and full-text reviews were conducted by 2 reviewers independently. A total of 4 databases were used for the study: CINAHL (EBSCO), ProQuest (ABI/INFORM), Scopus, and PubMed. The inclusion criteria for the reviewed studies were as follows: the examination of health care professionals’ experiences, reciprocal communication between patients and health care professionals, peer-reviewed scientific articles, and studies published between 2010 and 2019. The Joanna Briggs Institute’s quality assessment criteria were used in the review process. A total of 13 included studies were analyzed using a thematic synthesis, which was conducted by 3 reviewers. Results A total of 6 analytical themes concerning health care professionals’ experiences of web-based patient-professional communication were identified. The themes were related to health care professionals’ work, change in communication over patient portals, patients’ use of patient portals, the suitability of patient portals for communication, the convenience of patient portals for communication, and change in roles. Conclusions Health care professionals’ experiences contain both positive and negative insights into web-based patient-professional communication over patient portals. Most commonly, the positive experiences seem to be related to the patients and patient outcomes, such as having better patient engagement. Health care professionals also have negative experiences, for example, web-based patient-professional communication sometimes has deficiencies and has a negative impact on their workload. These negative experiences may be explained by the poor functionality of the patient portals and insufficient training and resources. To reduce health care professionals’ negative experiences of web-based patient-professional communication, their experiences should be taken into account by policy makers, health care organizations, and information technology enterprises when developing patient portals. In addition, more training regarding web-based patient-professional communication and patient portals should be provided to health care professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Laukka
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Social and Health System Research Unit, Helsinki, Finland.,Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Moona Huhtakangas
- Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tarja Heponiemi
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Social and Health System Research Unit, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sari Kujala
- Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Anu-Marja Kaihlanen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Social and Health System Research Unit, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kia Gluschkoff
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Social and Health System Research Unit, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Outi Kanste
- Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Tsai CH, Eghdam A, Davoody N, Wright G, Flowerday S, Koch S. Effects of Electronic Health Record Implementation and Barriers to Adoption and Use: A Scoping Review and Qualitative Analysis of the Content. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E327. [PMID: 33291615 PMCID: PMC7761950 DOI: 10.3390/life10120327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the great advances in the field of electronic health records (EHRs) over the past 25 years, implementation and adoption challenges persist, and the benefits realized remain below expectations. This scoping review aimed to present current knowledge about the effects of EHR implementation and the barriers to EHR adoption and use. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore Digital Library and ACM Digital Library for studies published between January 2005 and May 2020. In total, 7641 studies were identified of which 142 met the criteria and attained the consensus of all researchers on inclusion. Most studies (n = 91) were published between 2017 and 2019 and 81 studies had the United States as the country of origin. Both positive and negative effects of EHR implementation were identified, relating to clinical work, data and information, patient care and economic impact. Resource constraints, poor/insufficient training and technical/educational support for users, as well as poor literacy and skills in technology were the identified barriers to adoption and use that occurred frequently. Although this review did not conduct a quality analysis of the included papers, the lack of uniformity in the use of EHR definitions and detailed contextual information concerning the study settings could be observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Hsi Tsai
- Health Informatics Centre, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.H.T.); (A.E.); (N.D.)
| | - Aboozar Eghdam
- Health Informatics Centre, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.H.T.); (A.E.); (N.D.)
| | - Nadia Davoody
- Health Informatics Centre, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.H.T.); (A.E.); (N.D.)
| | - Graham Wright
- Department of Information Systems, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; (G.W.); (S.F.)
| | - Stephen Flowerday
- Department of Information Systems, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; (G.W.); (S.F.)
| | - Sabine Koch
- Health Informatics Centre, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.H.T.); (A.E.); (N.D.)
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Alpert JM, Morris BB, Thomson MD, Matin K, Brown RF. Identifying How Patient Portals Impact Communication in Oncology. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2019; 34:1395-1403. [PMID: 29979886 PMCID: PMC6320725 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2018.1493418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Patient portals are becoming widespread throughout health-care systems. Initial research has demonstrated that they positively impact patient-provider communication and patients' health knowledge, but little is known about the impact of patient portals in the cancer setting, where highly complex and uncertain medical data are available for patients to view. To better understand communicative behaviors and perceptions of the patient portal and how it is utilized in oncology, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 48 participants: 35 patients and 13 oncologists. Thematic analysis identified that portals help to enhance participation during in-person consultations, increase patients' self-advocacy, and build rapport with providers. However, patients' comfort level with reviewing information via the portal depended upon the severity of the test. Oncologists worried about patient anxiety and widening health disparities, but acknowledged that the portal can motivate them to expedite communication about laboratory and scan results. As patient portals become more widely used in all medical settings, oncologists should become more engaged with how patients are viewing their medical information and consider the portal within the framework of patient-centered care by valuing patients' communication preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Alpert
- Department of Advertising, College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida
| | - Bonny B Morris
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
| | - Maria D Thomson
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
| | - Khalid Matin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
| | - Richard F Brown
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
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