Needs, Requirements, and Technology Acceptance using Telemedical Consultations in Acute Medical Situations in Nursing Homes

Abstract

A lack of (medical) personnel and high proportions of older people in need of care pose enormous challenges for care institutions, often resulting in hospitalizations of nursing home residents (geriatric patients). Frequently, these hospitalizations are not medically necessary and cause a deterioration of health. The usage of telemedical consultations in nursing homes represents one approach that aims at the reduction of unnecessary hospitalizations of geriatric patients and at supporting care personnel in acute and medically uncertain situations. For a successful implementation of these telemedical consultations, especially the patients’ as well as the care personnel’s perspectives and acceptance are essential. This paper presents first qualitative results from a social communication science perspective within the Optimal@NRW project. Based on an interview study with residents and care personnel of different nursing homes (N=28) first attitudes, perceived advantages, and concerns as well as requirements regarding the usage of telemedical consultations are identified. These results provide the basis for further quantifications and comparisons of acceptance parameters of using telemedical consultations in nursing homes in general and across the entire duration of the project in specific.