The qualitative experience of telehealth access and clinical encounters in Australian healthcare during COVID-19: implications for policy.

White, Jennifer, Byles, Julie and Walley, Tom (2022) The qualitative experience of telehealth access and clinical encounters in Australian healthcare during COVID-19: implications for policy. Health research policy and systems, 20 (1). p. 9.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12961-021-00812-z

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Adaptive models of healthcare delivery, such as telehealth consultations, have rapidly been adopted to ensure ongoing delivery of essential healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there remain gaps in our understanding of how clinicians have adapted to telehealth. This study aims to explore the telehealth experiences of specialists, based at a tertiary hospital in the Hunter Region, and general practitioners (GP), including barriers, enablers and opportunities.<h4>Methods</h4>An interpretative qualitative study involving in-depth interviews explored the telehealth experiences of specialists, based at a tertiary hospital in the Hunter Region of Australia, and GPs, including barriers, enablers and opportunities. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach with constant comparison.<h4>Results</h4>Individual interviews were conducted with 10 specialists and five GPs. Key themes were identified: (1) transition to telehealth has been valuable but challenging; (2) persisting telehealth process barriers need to be addressed; (3) establishing when face-to-face consults are essential; (4) changes in workload pressures and potential for double-up; (5) essential modification of work practices; and (6) exploring what is needed going forward.<h4>Conclusions</h4>While there is a need to rationalize and optimize health access during a pandemic, we suggest that more needs to be done to improve telehealth going forward. Our results have important policy implications. Specifically, there is a need to effectively train clinicians to competently utilize and be confident using this telehealth and to educate patients on necessary skills and etiquette.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Telemedicine, Delivery of Health Care, Australia, Policy, Pandemics, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Clinical Directorate
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2024 11:11
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2024 11:11
DOI:	10.1186/s12961-021-00812-z
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-021-00812-z
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3178486