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Digital consultation in primary healthcare: the effects on access, efficiency and patient safety based on provider experience; a qualitative study
Linnaeus University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Medicine and Optometry. (DISA;DISA-IDP)
Linnaeus University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Medicine and Optometry. Linnaeus University, Linnaeus Knowledge Environments, Sustainable Health. (DISA;DISA-IDP)ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1549-2469
Linnaeus University, Linnaeus Knowledge Environments, Sustainable Health. Linnaeus University, School of Business and Economics, Department of Marketing. (DISA;DISA-IDP)ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3310-305X
Linnaeus University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Medicine and Optometry. (eHälsoinstitutet;eHealth Institute;DISA;DISA-IDP)ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4497-8313
2022 (English)In: Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, ISSN 0281-3432, E-ISSN 1502-7724, Vol. 40, no 4, p. 498-506Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objective The objective of the study was to explore the experiences of healthcare staff working with and being part of the implementation of a digital platform for patient-provider consultation across quality dimensions of access, efficiency, and patient safety. Design The study uses qualitative design to investigate experiences and the views of healthcare professionals. Data collection combined semi-structured individual and focus-group interviews. Content analysis was used to identify categories within the content areas 'access', 'efficiency', and 'patient safety'. Setting The basis for the study was an e-consultation platform introduced in three primary healthcare centres in the County of Kalmar in southeast Sweden in 2019. Results Healthcare staff experienced that the platform offered an open channel for communication with patients in need of frequent contact. This reduced anxiety and therefore the frequency of follow-up appointments. Healthcare staff also noted that the platform offered flexibility in contact benefitting patients with mental health problems. These patients were found to make contact through the platform after closing hours when problems were more acute or intense. However, the risk of digitally illiterate groups being excluded was also noted. Efficiency gains were identified among patients with simple cases which were handled more quickly through the platform. However, low uptake and the experience that the platform did not replace, rather was added on top of other already existing functions and procedures, negatively affected the overall efficiency. Standardized questions in automated medical history-taking contributed to patient safety. Conclusion The findings suggest that text-based e-consultation platforms may bring important quality improvements to primary healthcare service in terms of access, efficiency, and patient safety. Yet, areas where e-consultation does not contribute to quality improvements puts important quality gains at risk.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis Group, 2022. Vol. 40, no 4, p. 498-506
Keywords [en]
Primary healthcare, e-health, telemedicine, provider experience, digital technology
National Category
Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy Nursing
Research subject
Health and Caring Sciences, Health Informatics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-118368DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2159200ISI: 000903804400001PubMedID: 36573065Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85145325531OAI: oai:DiVA.org:lnu-118368DiVA, id: diva2:1727551
Available from: 2023-01-16 Created: 2023-01-16 Last updated: 2024-03-22Bibliographically approved

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Hammar, ToraLagrosen, StefanNilsson, Evalill

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Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health EconomyNursing

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CiteExportLink to record
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Citation style
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