Hospice staff attitudes towards telehospice.

Department of Health Management and Informatics, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA.

Telemedicine, defined as the use of advanced telecommunication technologies to bridge geographic distance and improve delivery of care, is perceived by many as a way to eliminate barriers to quality care at the end of life. The use of telemedicine in hospice, known as telehospice, is a novel approach to such care, and few pilot studies have investigated its feasibility. The purpose of this study was to assess hospice providers 'perceptions of telehospice. A focus group session was conducted with 10 staff members from five hospice agencies in Missouri. Participants included administrators, nurses, and social workers. Overall, providers had a positive perception of telehospice and found that the use of videophone technology enhanced care by enabling providers, patients, and family members a means to communicate. However, they emphasized that it was an additional tool and not a substitute for actual visits. Issues of privacy and usability were also raised.

PMID: 15510570 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]