Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39113042›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2024

Factors critical for the successful delivery of telehealth to rural populations: a descriptive qualitative study.

Rebecca Barry, Elyce Green, Kristy Robson, Melissa Nott

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Rebecca BarryThree Rivers Department of Rural Health, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Tooma Way, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia. rbarry@csu.edu.au.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2272-4694
Elyce GreenThree Rivers Department of Rural Health, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Tooma Way, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7291-6419
Kristy RobsonThree Rivers Department of Rural Health, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Tooma Way, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8046-7940
Melissa NottThree Rivers Department of Rural Health, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Tooma Way, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7088-5826

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe use of telehealth has proliferated to the point of being a common and accepted method of healthcare service delivery. Due to the rapidity of telehealth implementation, the evidence underpinning this approach to healthcare delivery is lagging, particularly when considering the uniqueness of some service users, such as those in rural areas. This research aimed to address the current gap in knowledge related to the factors critical for the successful delivery of telehealth to rural populations.

methodsThis research used a qualitative descriptive design to explore telehealth service provision in rural areas from the perspective of clinicians and describe factors critical to the effective delivery of telehealth in rural contexts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinicians from allied health and nursing backgrounds working in child and family nursing, allied health services, and mental health services. A manifest content analysis was undertaken using the Framework approach.

resultsSixteen health professionals from nursing, clinical psychology, and social work were interviewed. Participants mostly identified as female (88%) and ranged in age from 26 to 65 years with a mean age of 47 years. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) Navigating the role of telehealth to support rural healthcare; (2) Preparing clinicians to engage in telehealth service delivery; and (3) Appreciating the complexities of telehealth implementation across services and environments.

conclusionsThis research suggests that successful delivery of telehealth to rural populations requires consideration of the context in which telehealth services are being delivered, particularly in rural and remote communities where there are challenges with resourcing and training to support health professionals. Rural populations, like all communities, need choice in healthcare service delivery and models to increase accessibility. Preparation and specific, intentional training for health professionals on how to transition to and maintain telehealth services is a critical factor for delivery of telehealth to rural populations. Future research should further investigate the training and supports required for telehealth service provision, including who, when and what training will equip health professionals with the appropriate skill set to deliver rural telehealth services.

Indexed as

Qualitative ResearchRural Health ServicesTelemedicineAdultAgedAttitude of Health PersonnelDelivery of Health CareFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedRural PopulationAllied healthNursingRural healthRural workforceService provisionTelehealth

Identifiers

PMID39113042
PMCPMC11308699

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.