TY - JOUR

T1 - Factors affecting front line staff acceptance of telehealth technologies

T2 - a mixed-method systematic review

AU - Brewster, Liz

AU - Mountain, Gail

AU - Wessels, Bridgette

AU - Kelly, Ciara

AU - Hawley, Mark

PY - 2014/1

Y1 - 2014/1

N2 - Aim: To synthesize qualitative and quantitative evidence of front-line staff acceptance of the use of telehealth technologies for the management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Heart Failure. Background: The implementation of telehealth at scale is a governmental priority in countries including the UK, USA and Canada, but little research has been conducted to analyse the impact of implementation on front-line nursing staff. Data sources: Six relevant data bases were searched between 2000-2012. Design: Mixed-method systematic review including all study designs. Review methods: Centre for Reviews and Dissemination approach with thematic analysis and narrative synthesis of results. Results: Fourteen studies met the review inclusion criteria; 2 quantitative surveys, 2 mixed-method studies and 10 using qualitative methods, including focus groups, interviews, document analysis and observations. Identified factors affecting staff acceptance centred on the negative impact of service change, staff-patient interaction, credibility and autonomy, and technical issues. Studies often contrasted staff and patient perspectives, and data about staff acceptance were collected as part of a wider study, rather than being the focus of data collection, meaning data about staff acceptance were limited. Conclusion: If telehealth is to be implemented, studies indicate that the lack of acceptance of this new way of working may be a key barrier. However, recommendations have not moved beyond barrier identification to recognizing solutions that might be implemented by front-line staff. Such solutions are imperative if future roll-out of telehealth technologies is to be successfully achieved.

AB - Aim: To synthesize qualitative and quantitative evidence of front-line staff acceptance of the use of telehealth technologies for the management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Heart Failure. Background: The implementation of telehealth at scale is a governmental priority in countries including the UK, USA and Canada, but little research has been conducted to analyse the impact of implementation on front-line nursing staff. Data sources: Six relevant data bases were searched between 2000-2012. Design: Mixed-method systematic review including all study designs. Review methods: Centre for Reviews and Dissemination approach with thematic analysis and narrative synthesis of results. Results: Fourteen studies met the review inclusion criteria; 2 quantitative surveys, 2 mixed-method studies and 10 using qualitative methods, including focus groups, interviews, document analysis and observations. Identified factors affecting staff acceptance centred on the negative impact of service change, staff-patient interaction, credibility and autonomy, and technical issues. Studies often contrasted staff and patient perspectives, and data about staff acceptance were collected as part of a wider study, rather than being the focus of data collection, meaning data about staff acceptance were limited. Conclusion: If telehealth is to be implemented, studies indicate that the lack of acceptance of this new way of working may be a key barrier. However, recommendations have not moved beyond barrier identification to recognizing solutions that might be implemented by front-line staff. Such solutions are imperative if future roll-out of telehealth technologies is to be successfully achieved.

KW - Attitudes

KW - Chronic obstructive

KW - Health services research

KW - Heart failure

KW - Pulmonary disease

KW - Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

KW - Technology

U2 - 10.1111/jan.12196

DO - 10.1111/jan.12196

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23786584

AN - SCOPUS:84889657780

VL - 70

SP - 21

EP - 33

JO - Journal of Advanced Nursing

JF - Journal of Advanced Nursing

SN - 0309-2402

IS - 1

ER -