The Implementation Requirements of a Virtual Care Program for Patients With Chronic Wounds: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the requirements for implementing a virtual care programme for patients with chronic wounds. It was conducted in two consecutive phases: (1) scoping review, (2) descriptive qualitative study. In the first phase, texts published in English until 2024 were identified using international databases. Data analysis was carried out using textual content analysis. In the second phase, 12 participants from Iranian wound care clinics participated. Data were collected through focus group discussion and analysed using conventional content analysis. Integration of both phases was conducted in the data analysis stage. The most important requirements for the implementation of the virtual care programme for patients with chronic wounds were identified in five main categories, including providing a basic infrastructure for virtual care, changing users' views on acceptance, the presence of competent specialised wound therapists, the necessity of teamwork and interprofessional cooperation of specialists, and the existence of a suitable platform equipped with video conferencing software. The findings of this study provide good practical guidance for policymakers and health system decision-makers to develop and implement virtual care programmes in the wound and other health care domains.