Primary Care Nurses' Experiences and Training Needs in Text-Based Care Assessments in Telehealth

Elnura Halmambetova, Evalill Nilsson, Cecilia Fagerström, Hans Thulesius, Clara Axelsson, Jan Aidemark, Carina Werkander Harstäde

Keywords: Nurses, Primary Health Care, Qualitative Research, Technology Integration, Training Needs Assessment

Background:

The digital transformation of healthcare has introduced telehealth solutions to enhance accessibility in primary care. Chat-based telehealth assessments are one such innovation, offering asynchronous or real-time consultations through text communication. This study explores primary care nurses’ experiences and training needs to inform the development of advanced training programs and system improvements for effective telehealth implementation.

Research questions:

What are primary care nurses' experiences and training needs with text-based care assessments in telehealth?

Method:

This explorative qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with seven primary care nurses in Swedish healthcare settings, all of whom had received basic training in text-based chat technique. A reflexive thematic analysis approach was employed to identify themes related to working experiences, perceived challenges, and identified training needs for text-based care assessments in telehealth.

Results:

Nurses reported that text-based care assessments in telehealth often extended consultation times due to challenges in achieving conversational clarity and obtaining accurate patient history. However, they valued the opportunity for reflection and collaboration with colleagues, which enhanced care quality. Key benefits included access to chat histories, the ability to share informational resources, and professional growth. Nurses highlighted the need for more advanced training in effective communication and chat techniques. They also identified areas for improvement in system functionalities, such as auto-anamnesis and auto-triage features, to improve efficiency and usability.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the importance of tailored training programs and system enhancements to optimize text-based telehealth assessments in primary care. The findings provide a foundation for creating an enhanced learning environment to support nurses' development and effective telehealth integration, offering actionable insights for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and technology developers.

Points for discussion:

How can training programs meet nurses' needs in telehealth?

What system features are important for conduction of text-based care assessments in telehealth?

How can telehealth balance speed and quality in care delivery?

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