TY - JOUR

T1 - How, when and why is emotional support delivered using videoconferencing by adult palliative care services successful?

T2 - A realist synthesis

AU - Wood, Michele

AU - Nwosu, Amara

AU - Dinham, David

AU - Seneque, Nicole

AU - Walshe, Catherine

PY - 2025/8/13

Y1 - 2025/8/13

N2 - Background: Videoconferencing (also known as telehealth) is part of digitally enabled healthcare provision (‘eHealth’) and its use in palliative care practice is increasing. There is uncertainty and limited evidence to guide organisations in how to use this technology to provide emotional support for patients, caregivers and the bereaved. Objectives: How, why, and in which circumstances can videoconferencing be used to successfully meet the emotional support needs of adults receiving palliative care? Design: Realist synthesis of literature was conducted according to RAMESES guidelines.Data Sources and Methods: Evidence of research studies and practice descriptions about successful emotional support interventions in palliative care by videoconferencing were identified from six databases (AMED, Medline, PsychINFO, SCOPUS, TRIP, Overton.io) and Google searching on16th January 2023. Normalisation Process Theory guided analysis and synthesis proceeded iteratively through retroductive reasoning. Results: Synthesis of 13 eligible sources (nine empirical studies and four practitioners’ perspectives) generated ten context-mechanism-outcome configurations and five hypothetical explanations for successful videoconferencing interventions. Potential causative links were made connecting social isolation, financial, educational and relational resourcing, and feelings of self-confidence, fear, or desires for belonging. Conclusion:Emotional support by videoconferencing in adult palliative care is feasible when it addresses feelings of isolation and maintains patient/carer engagement with services. It depends on stakeholders being motivated and resourced to adapt and innovate interventions appropriate for those with least familiarity or access to technology. To be successful staff need leadership and organisational cultures that enhance their professional self-worth and technical competencies, that foster inter-agency collaborations and mitigate digital exclusion of service users.

AB - Background: Videoconferencing (also known as telehealth) is part of digitally enabled healthcare provision (‘eHealth’) and its use in palliative care practice is increasing. There is uncertainty and limited evidence to guide organisations in how to use this technology to provide emotional support for patients, caregivers and the bereaved. Objectives: How, why, and in which circumstances can videoconferencing be used to successfully meet the emotional support needs of adults receiving palliative care? Design: Realist synthesis of literature was conducted according to RAMESES guidelines.Data Sources and Methods: Evidence of research studies and practice descriptions about successful emotional support interventions in palliative care by videoconferencing were identified from six databases (AMED, Medline, PsychINFO, SCOPUS, TRIP, Overton.io) and Google searching on16th January 2023. Normalisation Process Theory guided analysis and synthesis proceeded iteratively through retroductive reasoning. Results: Synthesis of 13 eligible sources (nine empirical studies and four practitioners’ perspectives) generated ten context-mechanism-outcome configurations and five hypothetical explanations for successful videoconferencing interventions. Potential causative links were made connecting social isolation, financial, educational and relational resourcing, and feelings of self-confidence, fear, or desires for belonging. Conclusion:Emotional support by videoconferencing in adult palliative care is feasible when it addresses feelings of isolation and maintains patient/carer engagement with services. It depends on stakeholders being motivated and resourced to adapt and innovate interventions appropriate for those with least familiarity or access to technology. To be successful staff need leadership and organisational cultures that enhance their professional self-worth and technical competencies, that foster inter-agency collaborations and mitigate digital exclusion of service users.

KW - Realist review

KW - counselling

KW - spiritual care

KW - videoconferencing

KW - palliative care

KW - emotional support

KW - Normalisation Process Theory,

KW - telehealth

KW - psychological care

KW - art therapy

U2 - 10.1177/26323524251363271

DO - 10.1177/26323524251363271

M3 - Journal article

JO - Palliative Care and Social Practice

JF - Palliative Care and Social Practice

SN - 2632-3524

ER -