Healthcare professionals’ experiences in telehabilitation: a qualitative study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND In Swedish healthcare, the use of digital communication has increased in an effort to make healthcare more accessible. At organizational levels, trust in digitalization has stabilized, but a certain degree of skepticism regarding the technology appears to exist among healthcare employees. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to explore healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) experiences of digital communication with patients and colleagues in a habilitation context. METHODS Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze data derived from individual interviews. RESULTS The results revealed that there are mixed feelings regarding the digital format used at the habilitation center. Even though some skepticism remained regarding the digital format, there seemed to be a parallel understanding of the motives and benefits of digitalization. Hence, positive aspects were identified, such as increased healthcare accessibility. However, emphasis was placed on the considerations required to make digital consultations appropriate for each individual patient. CONCLUSIONS Managing a workday influenced by the balance between digital and physical demands forces HCPs to adjust to the digital format and new ways of working. This requires that HCPs consider whether digital means are appropriate for communication in each individual patient-specific case.