Evaluating the use of video communication technology in a hospital specialist palliative care team during the COVID-19 pandemic

Crosby, Benjamin, Hanchanale, Sarika, Stanley, Sarah ORCID: 0000-0002-7120-8680 and Nwosu, Amara Callistus ORCID: 0000-0003-0014-3741 (2021) Evaluating the use of video communication technology in a hospital specialist palliative care team during the COVID-19 pandemic. AMRC Open Research, 3. p. 5.

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Abstract

<h4>Background: </h4> Healthcare professionals’ use of video communication technology has increased during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, due to infection control restrictions. Currently there is little published data about the experiences of specialist palliative care teams who are using technology to communicate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this evaluation was to describe the experience of a UK based hospital specialist palliative care team, who were using video communication technology to support care during the COVID-19 pandemic. <h4>Methods: </h4>: An online survey was distributed to the specialist palliative care team at a University teaching hospital in the North West of the UK. We asked participants to provide their views on the scope of use, barriers and future opportunities to use technology for communication in hospital palliative care. <h4>Results: </h4>: The survey was completed by 14 healthcare professionals. Participants indicated that the most common reasons for using the technology was to receive team updates (n= 14, 100%), participate in multidisciplinary team meetings (n=14, 100%), for education (n=12, 86%) and to facilitate cross-site working (n=9, 64%). We identified barriers to using the technology, which were summarised as: (1) user-based difficulties; (2) inadequate technological infrastructure; (3) data security, privacy and ethical concerns; and (4) concerns regarding staff wellbeing. Participants stated that technology can potentially improve care by improving communication with hospital and community teams and increasing access to education. We have used these findings to develop recommendations to help palliative care teams to implement this technology better in clinical practice. <h4>Conclusion: </h4> Video communication technology has the potential to improve specialist palliative care delivery; however, it is essential that healthcare organisations address the existing barriers to using this technology, to ensure that these systems work meaningfully to improve palliative care for those who are most vulnerable beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Health Services, Clinical Research, 7 Management of diseases and conditions, 8 Health and social care services research, 7.2 End of life care, 8.1 Organisation and delivery of services, Generic health relevance, 4 Quality Education, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	08 Jul 2021 08:59
Last Modified:	14 Apr 2024 07:14
DOI:	10.12688/amrcopenres.12969.1
Open Access URL:	http://doi.org/10.12688/amrcopenres.12969.1
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3129256