Using telehealth to support end of life care in the community: a feasibility study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12904-016-0167-7
• Publication Date: 2016-11-17T06:57:37Z
• Authors: Jennifer J. Tieman; Kate Swetenham; Deidre D. Morgan; Timothy H. To; David C. Currow
• Keywords: Telehealth; Pain medicine; End-of-Life Care

Telehealth is being used increasingly in providing care to patients the community setting. enhanced service delivery could offer new ways of managing load and prioritisation for palliative living community. The study assesses feasibility a telehealth-based model provision based patients, carers clinicians. This was prospective cohort intervention specialist Southern Adelaide, South Australia. Participants were 43 enrolled Adelaide Palliative Service. To be eligible needed over 18 years have an Australian modified Karnofksy Performance Score > 40. Exclusion criteria included demonstrated inability manage hardware or technology (unless with carer who technology) non-English speaking without suitable carer/proxy. received video-based conferences between staff patient/carer; virtual case patient/carer, patient's general practitioner (GP); self-report assessment tools patient carer; remote activity monitoring (ACTRN12613000733774). average age 71.6 (range: 49 91 years). All managed enter data using telehealth system. Self-reported entered by did identify changes performance status leading care. Over 4000 alerts generated. Staff reported that videocalls similar (22.3%) better/much better (65.2%) than phone calls (63.1%) (27.1%) face-to-face. Issues volume generated, technical support required impact change identified. trial showed provide would otherwise not been available service. New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613000733774 registered on 02/07/2013.