Chuen VL, Dholakia S, Kalra S, Watt J, Wong C, Ho JMW. Geriatric care physicians' perspectives on providing virtual care: a reflexive thematic synthesis of their online survey responses from Ontario, Canada.
Age Ageing 2024;
53:afad231. [PMID:
38243403 DOI:
10.1093/ageing/afad231]
[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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine was widely implemented to minimise viral spread. However, its use in the older adult patient population was not well understood.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the perspectives of geriatric care providers on using telemedicine with older adults through telephone, videoconferencing and eConsults.
DESIGN
Qualitative online survey study.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
We recruited geriatric care physicians, defined as those certified in Geriatric Medicine, Care of the Elderly (family physicians with enhanced skills training) or who were the most responsible physician in a long-term care home, in Ontario, Canada between 22 December 2020 and 30 April 2021.
METHODS
We collected participants' perspectives on using telemedicine with older adults in their practice using an online survey. Two researchers jointly analysed free-text responses using the 6-phase reflexive thematic analysis.
RESULTS
We recruited 29 participants. Participants identified difficulty using technology, patient sensory impairment, lack of hospital support and pre-existing high patient volumes as barriers against using telemedicine, whereas the presence of a caregiver and administrative support were facilitators. Perceived benefits of telemedicine included improved time efficiency, reduced travel, and provision of visual information through videoconferencing. Ultimately, participants felt telemedicine served various purposes in geriatric care, including improving accessibility of care, providing follow-up and obtaining collateral history. Main limitations are the absence of, or incomplete physical exams and cognitive testing.
CONCLUSIONS
Geriatric care physicians identify a role for virtual care in their practice but acknowledge its limitations. Further work is required to ensure equitable access to virtual care for older adults.
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