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User adoption issues in renal telemedicine
B R Mitchell1, J G Mitchell, A P Disney
1John Mitchell & Associates, Unley, South Australia, Australia. jma@acslink.net.au
Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Staff attitudes towards telemedicine in South Australian renal units were evaluated. While initially concerned about privacy, staff perceptions improved over six months, highlighting the need for user dialogue and a supportive culture for successful telemedicine adoption.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Medical Informatics
Background:
- Telemedicine implementation in renal units presents unique challenges.
- Assessing healthcare staff attitudes is crucial for technology adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate staff attitudes towards telemedicine in South Australian dialysis units.
- To identify changes in staff perceptions over time.
- To understand factors influencing telemedicine acceptance in a renal ward.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal survey design was employed.
- Two questionnaires were distributed to renal ward staff involved in telemedicine introduction.
- Data analysis included comparing responses from two time points, with matched pairs analyzed.
Main Results:
- Initial staff responses indicated general positivity towards telemedicine ease of use and reliability.
- Concerns regarding privacy and confidentiality in an open ward setting were significant initially.
- After six months, staff reported significantly improved perceptions of both confidentiality (P < 0.05) and privacy (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Ongoing dialogue with users is essential to address concerns and practical difficulties.
- Successful telemedicine integration requires careful planning, user cooperation, and a conducive organizational culture.
- Staff attitudes towards telemedicine in renal units can evolve positively with time and user engagement.