A qualitative
study of telehealth usage by informal carers of people with long-term health
condition… Or, in other words, how effective is technology at helping the
families of people with long-term conditions such as chronic heart failure, or
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Technology-based
interventions, such as telehealth, may be of use to the families of those with
long-term conditions. Telehealth is one form of homecare technology, and is
defined as a form of medicine that permits and supports the clinical care of a
patient, where various professionals and patients may not be in the same
location. In previous research, it has been found that the use of the internet
as a homecare technology can help informal carers, as it develops their
problem-solving ability, increases their self-esteem, and can open up the
possibility of self-training. However, little research has explored the
possibility of telehealth helping in this way.
Based on
joint qualitative interviews with patients and carers completed as part of the
MALT study (Overcoming the Barriers to
Mainstreaming Assisted Living Technologies), our analysis identified that telehealth has a variety
of benefits for carers. We found that telehealth was understood to increase:
·
the
carer’s understanding of the patient’s condition;
·
peace
of mind for carers; and
·
carers’
access to healthcare
We also found
that patients’ perceived telehealth to help reduce hospitalisation and this had
an indirect benefit to the carers, as it reduces stress and inconvenience. We
also found that all carers found telehealth easy to use, despite not
necessarily having much experience or confidence in using technology.
This extract from the interview with
one carer sums up the general findings of this research well:
“I don't want to make it a god in the
corner because it isn't, but it reassures you and that is what most people
need.”
This secondary analysis was completed
by Patrick Rice, a Psychology undergraduate student from University of
Sheffield, as part of 6 week Think
Ahead: SURE (Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience) Scheme studentship with Dr Lizzie Coates. This work is currently being written up for
publication in an academic research journal. In addition, a recorded
presentation of this work is available here.
Written by Patrick Rice
As a District nursing sister I visit patients in their own homes that are using TeleHealth, it gives them confidence, reassurance and enables them to be monitored on a daily basis, if their condition declines it is picked up straight away and treated immediatley thus preventing another hospital admission. It allows them to maintain their independence. In my opinion it's a God send !
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response Anne, we love to hear people's opinions and we are thrilled you agree with this post!
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