Key result
Telemedicine earns professional acceptance but unfamiliarity and cultural gaps hinder cross-sectoral collaboration.
Why the study?
Healthcare professionals' perspectives on telemedicine for chronic heart failure and COPD in specialized care, including opportunities and barriers, were not well explored.
Unfamiliarity with telemedicine and cross-sectoral cultural gaps are key barriers to its implementation in chronic heart failure and COPD care, highlighting a need for targeted training.
Unfamiliarity and cultural gaps may hinder telemedicine adoption in HF and COPD; leaves open targeted training strategies for cross-sectoral care.
AIM: To explore healthcare professionals' perspectives on telemedicine, specifically video consultations and digital home monitoring, in specialized care for chronic heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study focused on opportunities and barriers in hospital and primary care. METHODS: A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews within a phenomenological-hermeneutic framework. The study was conducted in Denmark, where 12 participants (eight nurses, four physicians) were interviewed between May and September 2022. Half held leadership roles. Nine worked in hospitals, and three in primary care. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis, adhering to Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. RESULTS: Three key themes were generated through interpretive analysis: (1) balancing challenges and benefits of virtual care, (2) strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration, and (3) empowering patients through telemedicine. Video consultations were well received but required user confidence. Digital home monitoring faced skepticism, particularly regarding patient-measured data, but improved self-care and decision-making. Cultural gaps hindered cross-sectoral collaboration. CONCLUSION: Unfamiliarity with telemedicine and cross-sectoral gaps is a key barrier, highlighting the need for training and mutual understanding. Addressing these issues is crucial for successful implementation and improved patient care.
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Juul et al. (2025) studied Chronic heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=12). Telemedicine (video consultations and digital home monitoring) was evaluated on Perspectives on opportunities and barriers of telemedicine. Telemedicine via video consultations and digital home monitoring was well received by healthcare professionals, though unfamiliarity and cultural gaps hindered cross-sectoral collaboration.
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