Patient perceptions of Telehealth: new paper

The results of a qualitative study conducted by the group have been published online. The study explored experiences of people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and healthcare professionals, when they participated in a pilot trial of Telehealth. A combination of qualitative interviews and open-ended questionnaires were used, and a total of 29 participants were included.

Patients with COPD were randomised to receive either standard care (a series of home visits from COPD nurses) or Telehealth. The latter involved entering symptom and vital sign information into a Telehealth device, and this information was then transmitted to the COPD nursing team to review and identify any changes in the patient’s health. Overall patients were very positive about the service (e.g. feelings of greater safety and reassurance) despite reduced face to face to contact with COPD nurses. Telehealth may be an acceptable alternative to more-traditional home visits.

The full text can be accessed for free via this link.

Written by Claire Bentley and Debbie Fitzsimmons

The Use of Technology for Health Care Provision by Care Homes for Older Adults: Survey Results

On the 12/02/16 849 surveys were sent out to all care home managers across Yorkshire and the Humber as part of a PhD project. The survey aimed to help me obtain a better understand of how technology is being used in care homes, what it was being used for and to provide a better understanding of the care home contexts in which staff are working. 

Of those that replied only 12 homes reported using videoconferencing as a method of health compared to 106 homes that were not using it and approximately 2/3 (64%) of respondents had heard of videoconferencing being used as a method of health care provision. Most respondents had heard of videoconferencing being used for advice (46%), this was followed by assessing (42%) and being used as a triage/ gateway to other services (34%).

 

Respondents were also asked to tick which statement best described how they felt about implementing videoconferencing in the care homes they work in. Here  44% of respondents reported that they would consider it, but would need to know more, followed by 18 % saying they are not sure it would be worthwhile as they already have a system that works well, another 13% said they think it would be unnecessary and 12% saying they would sign up for it today if they could.

Of those that were using it, all rated the system overall as being good (45%) or very good (55%). With 73% of homes reporting using it less than once a week, 18% less than 3 days a week and 9% using it once a year.

Overall, respondents rating the system as having the biggest impact on staff confidence.

For more information, please contact:

Louise Newbould (PhD Student): LKNewbould1@sheffield.ac.uk

Written by Louise Newbould

Telehealth and Telecare: The Future of Healthcare What you can do now, and where it can go in the future

1 day course: Tuesday 11th October 2016

Date

1 day course: Tuesday 11th October 2016

Times

TBC

Fees

£350 EARLY BIRD FEE - For bookings received on or before Sunday, 21st August 2016

£450 Standard Fee - For bookings received on or after Monday, 22nd August 2016

Closing for bookings for this course is Sunday, 25th September 2016

Venue

Halifax Hall Hotel and Conference Centre, Endcliffe Vale Road, Sheffield, S10 3ER.

www.halifaxhall.co.uk

Contact

For further information please do not hesitate to contact the Short Course Unit via email at scharr-scu@sheffield.ac.uk

or call +44 (0)114 222 2968.

Course Overview

Technology has revolutionised the way we live our lives. 

The expansion of technology into health and social care has been slow, due to complex organisational and commissioning issues. However, telehealth and telecare are increasingly recognised as effective methods of delivering patient-centered care within the context of an ageing population, rising incidence of long-term conditions and uncertainties around health and social care funding.

This short course, run by researchers based in the Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology group in ScHARR, will take you through how telehealth and telecare work, and their benefits. There will be a practical hands-on session and talks from guest speakers which will give you an insight into using such systems, both from the healthcare professional and patient point of view. Issues around implementation will help you to understand some key issues around use of technology within healthcare.

This masterclass will give you a head start in understanding the critical issues, and equip you to be part of its evolution over the coming years. 

The future of healthcare is changing, and we all need to be ready when it does!

Who will benefit from this course?

Health and social care professionals with an interest in using telehealth / telecare as part of their role, or whose team or department is planning on using these interventions. No previous experience with telehealth or telecare is needed. Although the course will be aimed predominantly at healthcare professionals, it is potentially useful for individuals from other sectors who wish to find out more about it.

Course Outline

Introduction to Telehealth and Telecare

• Context
• Definitions
• Overview

Telecare: what exists already

• Guest speaker from local Telecare provider

Telehealth: the future of healthcare

• Guest speaker: Telehealth expert from Sheffield's commissioning team
• Hands-on demonstration of innovative Telehealth examples

Issues around implementation

• Advantages and disadvantages
• Guest speakers: patient and Telehealth nurse

Course materials

All course materials will be provided on USB (including presentations) plus a hard copy of any handouts/exercises where necessary.

A hard copy of presentations are available upon request.

Participants are asked to provide their own laptop for the duration of the course.

For further information about the course and fees/booking, please click here.

Survey: 75% of Healthcare Providers in the USA Still in Early Stages of Telehealth Adoption

A KPMG survey from the USA found that a quarter of healthcare providers surveyed found that their virtual care programs — telehealth and telemedicine — were sustainable, while 35 percent of providers have not yet embarked on their programs. 

Click here to learn more.

Spreading the word about Telehealth

RAT group researchers Claire Bentley and Dr Jack Parker were invited to Sheffield Hallam University to deliver a workshop for district nursing students, introducing them to Telehealth and issues around its use.

The session included demonstrations of different healthcare technologies (Telemonitoring, an app for lung disease management) and a Question & Answer segment with Telehealth nurse Andrea Hague, in which she spoke about her experiences of delivering the service and the benefits and issues she has experienced.

Feedback from the students was very positive. This was the second workshop with Sheffield Hallam nursing undergraduates, and it is looking like an effective way to break down the awareness barrier among healthcare professionals around healthcare technologies.

Written by Claire Bentley (c.bentley@sheffield.ac.uk) and Dr Jack Parker (jack.parker@sheffield.ac.uk).