Telemedicine in the primary care of older adults: a systematic mixed studies review

Background Family physicians had to deliver care remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their efforts highlighted the importance of developing a primary care telemedicine (TM) model. TM has the potential to provide a high-quality option for primary care delivery. However, it poses unique challenges for older adults. Our aim was therefore to explore the effects of TM and the determinants of its use in primary care for older adults. Methods In this systematic mixed studies review, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINHAL, AgeLine, DARE, Cochrane Library, and clinical trials research registers were searched for articles in English, French or Russian. Two reviewers performed study selection, data extraction and assessment of study quality. TM’s effects were reported through the tabulation of key variables. TM use determinants were interpreted using thematic analysis based on Chang’s framework. All data were integrated using a joint display matrix. Results From 3,328 references identified, 20 studies were included. They used either phone (n = 8), videoconference (n = 9) or both (n = 3). Among studies reporting positive outcomes in TM experience, ‘user habit or preferences’ was the most cited barrier and ‘location and travel time’ was the most cited facilitator. Only one study reported negative outcomes in TM experience and reported ‘comfort with patient communication’ and ‘user interface, intended use or usability’ as barriers, and ‘technology skills and knowledge’ and ‘location and travel time’ as facilitators. Among studies reporting positive outcomes in service use and usability, no barrier or facilitator was cited more than once. Only one study reported a positive outcome in health-related and behavioural outcomes. Conclusions TM in older adults’ primary care generally led to positive experiences, high satisfaction and generated an interest towards alternative healthcare delivery model. Future research should explore its efficacy on clinical, health-related and healthcare services use..

Key points Most health systems have been able to adapt quickly to virtual consultations with their patients, but there are still opportunities for improvement for older populations.Older patients want to have access to both in-person and virtual consultations when appropriate.Telemedicine for older adults’ primary care generally led to positive experiences, high satisfaction towards alternative healthcare delivery model..

Medienart:	E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:	2023
Erschienen:	2023

Enthalten in:	Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:24
Enthalten in:	BMC primary care - 24(2023), 1 vom: 20. Juli

Sprache:	Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:	Ilali, Marwa [VerfasserIn] Le Berre, Mélanie [VerfasserIn] Vedel, Isabelle [VerfasserIn] Khanassov, Vladimir [VerfasserIn]

Links:	Volltext [kostenfrei]

Themen:	Aged Family Practice Mixed Methods Primary Care Systematic Review Telemedicine

Anmerkungen:	© The Author(s) 2023

doi:	10.1186/s12875-023-02085-7

funding:
Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):	OLC2144564760