As telehealth becomes increasingly vital in healthcare, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to understand and address the barriers faced by allied health professionals and nurses. The recent scoping review, "Barriers to Video Call-Based Telehealth in Allied Health Professions and Nursing: Scoping Review and Mapping Process," offers a comprehensive look into these challenges.
This review, which analyzed 56 publications involving over 10,000 health professionals, identifies eight primary categories of barriers:
- Technology Issues: Limited access to technology, network issues, and lack of technology skills among both providers and patients.
- Practice Issues: Diminished fidelity of observations, lack of hands-on methods, and inadequate training and guidelines.
- Patient Issues: Inappropriate target groups, managing patient behavior, and addressing safety concerns.
- Environmental Issues: Physical and sensory environment limitations, lack of privacy, and absence of support persons.
- Attributions: Negative attitudes toward telehealth from both providers and patients, and perceived drawbacks.
- Policy and Regulation Issues: Privacy and security concerns, billing and reimbursement challenges, and workplace policies.
- Interpersonal Issues: Diminished client-practitioner interaction and communication, and ethical and cultural concerns.
- Administration Issues: Lack of support and increased workload for health professionals.
Understanding these barriers is the first step toward overcoming them. Here are some practical strategies based on the review's findings:
Enhance Technological Infrastructure
Investing in reliable and user-friendly technology is essential. Ensure that both providers and patients have access to the necessary hardware and software. Consider providing training to improve digital literacy.
Develop Comprehensive Training Programs
Training should cover not only the use of technology but also telehealth-specific clinical skills. This includes adapting hands-on techniques to virtual formats and ensuring high-quality observations and interactions.
Foster Positive Attitudes Toward Telehealth
Educate both providers and patients about the benefits and effectiveness of telehealth. Address concerns and misconceptions to build trust and acceptance.
Ensure Privacy and Security
Use secure, compliant platforms for telehealth services. Educate health professionals about data protection measures and ensure transparency in how data is managed.
Supportive Policies and Regulations
Advocate for policies that support telehealth, including adequate reimbursement and clear guidelines. Ensure that workplace policies are aligned with telehealth practices.
For practitioners, these strategies can help improve the delivery and acceptance of telehealth services. Continued research and adaptation are necessary to keep up with evolving challenges and opportunities in telehealth.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Barriers to Video Call-Based Telehealth in Allied Health Professions and Nursing: Scoping Review and Mapping Process.
