Increase in Video Consultations During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions about Their Implementation and Adequate Management

Diana Jiménez-Rodríguez, Azucena Santillán García, Jesús Montoro Robles, María del Mar Rodríguez Salvador, Francisco José Muñoz Ronda and Oscar Arrogante
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Diana Jiménez-Rodríguez: Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
Azucena Santillán García: Department of Cardiology, Burgos University Hospital, 09006 Burgos, Spain
Jesús Montoro Robles: Teaching Unit, Nursing Subcommittee, Primary Care District Poniente of Almeria, 04746 Almeria, Spain
María del Mar Rodríguez Salvador: Knowledge and Research Management Department, Primary Care District of Almeria, 04007 Almeria, Spain
Francisco José Muñoz Ronda: Knowledge and Research Management Department, Primary Care District of Almeria, 04007 Almeria, Spain
Oscar Arrogante: University Centre of Health Sciences San Rafael, San Juan de Dios Foundation, Nebrija University, 28036 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-14

Abstract: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, health care modalities such as video consultations have been rapidly developed to provide safe health care and to minimize the risk of spread. The purpose of our study is to explore Spanish healthcare professionals’ perceptions about the implementation of video consultations. Based on the testimonies of 53 professionals, different categories emerged related to the four identified themes: benefits of video consultations (for professionals, patients, and the health system, and compared to phone calls), negative aspects (inherent to new technologies and the risk of a perceived distancing from the professional), difficulties associated with the implementation of video consultations (technological difficulties, lack of technical skills and refusal to use video consultation among professionals and patients), and the need for training (technological, nontechnical, and social-emotional skills, and adaptation of technical skills). Additionally, the interviewees indicated that this new modality of health care may be extended to a broader variety of patients and clinical settings. Therefore, since video consultations are becoming more widespread, it would be advisable for health policies and systems to support this modality of health care, promoting their implementation and guaranteeing their operability, equal access and quality.

Keywords: clinical skills; COVID-19; healthcare providers; implementation; interpersonal skills; perception; qualitative research; telemedicine; training; video consultation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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