Abstract
BackgroundConfinement to an in-patient hospital ward impairs patients’ sense of social support and connectedness. Providing the means, through communication technology, for patients to maintain contact with friends and family can potentially improve well-being at the end of life by minimizing social isolation and facilitating social connection. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of introducing internet-based communication and information technologies for in-patients and their families and to describe their experience in using this technology.MethodsA cross-sectional survey design was used to describe patient and family member experiences in using internet-based communication technology and health care provider views of using such technology in palliative care. Participants included 13 palliative in-patients, 38 family members, and 14 health care providers. An iPad or a laptop computer with password-protected internet access was loaned to each patient and family member for about two weeks or they used their own electronic devices for the duration of the patient’s stay. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from patients, families, and health care providers to discern how patients and families used the technology, its ease of use and its impact. Descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests were used to analyze quantitative data; qualitative data were analyzed using constant comparative techniques.ResultsPalliative patients and family members used the technology to keep in touch with family and friends, entertain themselves, look up information, or accomplish tasks. Most participants found the technology easy to use and reported that it helped them feel better overall, connected to others and calm. The availability of competent, respectful, and caring technical support personnel was highly valued by patients and families. Health care providers identified that computer technology helped patients and families keep others informed about the patient’s condition, enabled sharing of important decisions and facilitated access to the outside world.ConclusionsThis study confirmed the feasibility of offering internet-based communication and information technologies on palliative care in-patient units. Patients and families need to be provided appropriate technical support to ensure that the technology is used optimally to help them accomplish their goals.
Highlights
Confinement to an in-patient hospital ward impairs patients’ sense of social support and connectedness
Of the 51 participants, 30 individuals were referred to the study by staff and 21 were selfreferred; 39 individuals, either patient or family member, participated alone while 12 individuals participated in a dyad, meaning a patient and their family member, each contributed their own data
We found that the Keep in Touch (KIT) technology made it easy for patients and families to keep in touch with relatives and friends in various ways such as email, social networking, video and audio calls; it allowed for additional ‘visits’ from family and friends that were otherwise too expensive or time consuming, and it helped patients to accomplish tasks that they might not have undertaken while in hospital
Summary
Confinement to an in-patient hospital ward impairs patients’ sense of social support and connectedness. Confinement to an inpatient hospital ward can impair a person’s sense of social support and connectedness, especially when loved ones are far away or mobility or economics prevents visiting. Through communication technology, for patients to maintain contact with friends and family can potentially improve well-being at the end of life by minimizing social isolation and facilitating social connection [6]. Research indicates that the majority of patients enjoy using the iPad, helping them endure treatments and providing a form of relaxation and distraction [10]
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