Clinical users' perspective on telemonitoring of patients with long term conditions: understood through concepts of Giddens's structuration theory & consequence of modernity.

Abstract

This study involves conducting focus group discussions with clinical users (nurses and technicians) prior to the launch of telehealth service in Nottingham, UK, to elicit their initial perceptions about the service. It describes the findings from preliminary phase of otherwise a larger longitudinal study. Using Giddens's concepts from structuration theory and consequence of modernity, we were able to acknowledge trust and sense of security as two very salient aspects that govern adoption of new technological innovation. Unattended, these aspects contribute to arousal of conflict and contradiction within a system. In order for successful telehealth implementations in health care setting, providers of the service, need to focus on ways in which clinical users' trust can be gained and sense of security can be promoted while using the telehealth service and technology.