Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Human Factors
Date Submitted: Oct 9, 2023
Open Peer Review Period: Oct 9, 2023 - Oct 24, 2023
Date Accepted: Jan 31, 2024
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives Before and After Use of eDialogue for Team-based Digital Communication Across Settings: A Qualitative Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Orthopedic surgical treatment is a transversal task that requires the active involvement of patients, relatives and healthcare professionals across settings to achieve optimal quality and outcomes. However, after hospital discharge communication between these is challenged and undertaken primarily by phone. New digital communication solutions have the potential to create a space for seamless and patient-centered communication across discipline and sector boundaries. When evaluating new communication solutions, knowledge about healthcare professionals' needs and perspectives of use must be explored, as it is they who are responsible for implementing changes in practice.
Objective:
This study aimed to firstly investigate HCPs’ perceptions of current communication pathways (Phase 1), and secondly to explore their experiences of using a simple messenger-like solution (eDialogue) for team-based digital communication across settings (Phase 2).
Methods:
We employed a triangulation of qualitative data collection techniques, including document analysis, observations, focus group and individual interviews of HCPs before (n=28) and after their use of eDialogue (n=12). Data collection and analysis was inspired by The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to specifically understand facilitators and barriers to implementation as perceived by the healthcare professionals.
Results:
HCPs perceive current communication pathways as insufficient for both patients and themselves. Phone calls are disruptive and there is a lack of direct communication modalities when communication crosses sector boundaries. HCPs experienced the use of eDialogue as a quick and easy way for timely interdisciplinary interaction with patients and other HCPs across settings; however, concerns were raised about resource consumption.
Conclusions:
eDialogue can provide needed support for interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral patient-centered communication. However, future studies of this solution should address effects and the use of resources.
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Copyright
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