Abstract
BackgroundAn Ostomy Self-management Telehealth (OSMT) intervention by nurse educators and peer ostomates can equip new ostomates with critical knowledge regarding ostomy care. A telehealth technology assessment aim was to measure telehealth engineer support requirements for telehealth technology–related (TTR) incidents encountered during OSMT intervention sessions held via a secure cloud-based videoconferencing service, Zoom for Healthcare.ObjectiveThis paper examines technology-related challenges, issues, and opportunities encountered in the use of telehealth in a randomized controlled trial intervention for cancer survivors living with a permanent ostomy.MethodsThe Arizona Telemedicine Program provided telehealth engineering support for 105 OSMT sessions, scheduled for 90 to 120 minutes each, over a 2-year period. The OSMT groups included up to 15 participants, comprising 4-6 ostomates, 4-6 peer ostomates, 2 nurse educators, and 1 telehealth engineer. OSMT-session TTR incidents were recorded contemporaneously in detailed notes by the research staff. TTR incidents were categorized and tallied.ResultsA total of 97.1% (102/105) OSMT sessions were completed as scheduled. In total, 3 OSMT sessions were not held owing to non–technology-related reasons. Of the 93 ostomates who participated in OSMT sessions, 80 (86%) completed their OSMT curriculum. TTR incidents occurred in 36.3% (37/102) of the completed sessions with varying disruptive impacts. No sessions were canceled or rescheduled because of TTR incidents. Disruptions from TTR incidents were minimized by following the TTR incident prevention and incident response plans.ConclusionsTelehealth videoconferencing technology can enable ostomates to participate in ostomy self-management education by incorporating dedicated telehealth engineering support. Potentially, OSMT greatly expands the availability of ostomy self-management education for new ostomates.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02974634; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02974634
Highlights
BackgroundAn intestinal stoma, or ostomy, is a surgically created opening in the abdomen that provides an alternate pathway for stool or urine to exit the body
Telehealth videoconferencing technology can enable ostomates to participate in ostomy self-management education by incorporating dedicated telehealth engineering support
Ostomy Self-management Telehealth (OSMT) greatly expands the availability of ostomy self-management education for new ostomates
Summary
BackgroundAn intestinal stoma, or ostomy, is a surgically created opening in the abdomen that provides an alternate pathway for stool or urine to exit the body. An ostomy may be needed for a patient due to cancer, trauma, inflammatory bowel disease, bowel obstruction, infection, incontinence, or diverticular disease [1]. Caring for and living with an ostomy requires the development of specific skills and regimens by the patient. Ostomy sites may develop irritation or infection. Ostomates may develop psychosocial complications if they lack knowledge of ostomy self-management or coping skills. Many ostomates face multiple barriers to support and resources, such as travel distances, lack of transportation, financial restrictions, and lack of access to certified wound, ostomy, and continence nurses (WOCNs) [5]. An Ostomy Self-management Telehealth (OSMT) intervention by nurse educators and peer ostomates can equip new ostomates with critical knowledge regarding ostomy care. A telehealth technology assessment aim was to measure telehealth engineer support requirements for telehealth technology–related (TTR) incidents encountered during OSMT intervention sessions held via a secure cloud-based videoconferencing service, Zoom for Healthcare
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
