District nurses' views on and experiences with a telemedicine educational programme in palliative care.

Eithne Hayes Bauer,Karin B Dieperink,Georg Bollig

doi:10.1111/scs.12818

Abstract

BackgroundMedical advancements, limited resources and shifting demographics have increased the number of patients with palliative care needs in primary care. To address educational needs, the specialised palliative care team of South Jutland, Denmark, created a telemedicine educational programme in palliative care to empower district nurses.AimThe study aimed to explore district nurses’ views on and experiences with a telemedicine educational programme in palliative care.Research methodsA qualitative explorative study based on interpretive description was conducted. Data collection consisted of four focus group interviews with district nurses from three municipalities, supplemented by participant observations and a focus group interview with teachers from the specialised palliative care team. Data were analysed using predominately inductive thematic analysis.ResultsDistrict nurses (n = 15) who participated in the programme and members of the specialised palliative care team (n = 6) who taught the programme were included. Analysis revealed the following advantages: reaffirming and updating existing knowledge, reduced professional isolation and creation of a forum to promote knowledge dissemination. A disadvantage was limited interaction between teachers and district nurses, questioning suitability for teaching complex palliative care. Initial technical problems affected motivation to participate. Organisational support differed between participating municipalities resulting in varying degrees of programme integration. Despite advantages of IT‐expert‐led sessions, key‐nurse‐led sessions in smaller groups proved more beneficial, suggesting a combination of IT support and key‐nurse management to maximise benefits.ConclusionThe use of an inter‐professional telemedicine educational programme to teach palliative care to district nurses is beneficial. However, programmes should be designed for interactivity and address varying educational needs. Key‐nurse roles require managerial and IT support to optimise knowledge dissemination. Further research on implementation of telemedicine education in palliative care is needed.

Highlights

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and current research are attempting to integrate telemedicine into healthcare systems – including the area of palliative care [1,2,3,4,5]
Some information exists on the use of telemedicine for educating healthcare professionals in primary care, but very little is known about the education of district nurses in palliative care via telemedicine and their perception of the same
This study aims to contribute to knowledge on inter-professional educational telemedicine in palliative care and inform implementation of existing programmes

Summary

Introduction

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and current research are attempting to integrate telemedicine into healthcare systems – including the area of palliative care [1,2,3,4,5]. Some information exists on the use of telemedicine for educating healthcare professionals in primary care, but very little is known about the education of district nurses in palliative care via telemedicine and their perception of the same. The purpose of this study was to explore district nurses’ views on and experiences with a telemedicine educational programme in palliative care and whether they experienced empowerment through participation in the programme. This study aims to contribute to knowledge on inter-professional educational telemedicine in palliative care and inform implementation of existing programmes. The specialised palliative care team of South Jutland, Denmark, created a telemedicine educational programme in palliative care to empower district nurses. Conclusion: The use of an inter-professional telemedicine educational programme to teach palliative care to district nurses is beneficial. Further research on implementation of telemedicine education in palliative care is needed

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