Health workforce perceptions on telehealth augmentation opportunities

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Digital Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth for remote healthcare access.
• Existing telehealth models can be enhanced to improve healthcare accessibility, acceptability, and user experiences.
• This study explores health workforce needs for advancing virtual care beyond current telehealth frameworks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the needs and expectations of health workforce representatives regarding the future of virtual care.
• To identify opportunities for augmenting existing telehealth models.
• To inform strategies for improving telehealth service delivery and user satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted with health workforce representatives experienced in telehealth delivery.
• Participants were recruited from regional and centralized roles across country Western Australia.
• Discussions occurred between November and December 2021 to gather insights.

Main Results:

• Twelve focus groups were held, involving 53 health workforce representatives.
• Key areas for telehealth augmentation included service practice improvements, equity and access considerations, and opportunities for both health workforce and consumers.
• Findings highlighted specific needs for enhancing existing telehealth processes and delivery.

Conclusions:

• Augmenting telehealth models is timely following the pandemic-driven expansion of virtual care.
• Workforce representatives proposed modifications to improve current telehealth practices and processes.
• Enhancing virtual healthcare experiences is crucial for sustained telehealth adoption and acceptance.