Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare最新文献

{"title":"Design and development of a Telemedicine Assessment Toolkit (TAT) for the assessment of audiovisual telemedicine encounters.","authors":"Raphael Agbali, E Andrew Balas, Vahe Heboyan, Jeane Silva, Steven Coughlin, Francesco Beltrame, Gianluca De Leo","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231194381","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231194381","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although the use of audiovisual telemedicine has grown in recent years especially during recent COVID-19-related lockdowns, evidence shows there is still a lack of tools that can be used for the assessment of telemedicine encounters. The few validated questionnaires that are available for assessing telemedicine encounters are not often used. Non-validated questionnaires dominate research, leading to results that cannot be compared or extrapolated to other research or medical sites. Development of standard measures for the assessment of telemedicine encounters has been advocated by stakeholders. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive set of measures by developing a conceptual approach and a preliminary Telemedicine Assessment Toolkit (TAT) for the assessment of audiovisual telemedicine encounters. A two-step conceptual approach was used to identify potential domains and sub-domains by qualitative analysis of a pool of questions from studies published from 2016 to 2021. Questions were adopted from validated questionnaires or generated to represent the underlying concept of each sub-domain, resulting in a core block of comprehensive questions. A toolkit is proposed with question-measures that cover the sub-domains relevant to the assessment of telemedicine encounters. This study recommended 11 domains to be used for the assessment of telemedicine encounters: \"usability,\" \"patient satisfaction,\" \"patient-provider interaction,\" \"patient perspectives,\" \"telemedicine readiness,\" \"qualitative feedback,\" \"comparison to standard (in-person) care,\" \"privacy,\" \"technology,\" \"patient feeling,\" and \"patient costs.\" Of the 11 domains, 26 underlying sub-domains were created. From the subdomains, a 30-question core block was proposed. The core-block together with a precursor block aimed to retrieve demographic/patient characteristics and, together with a customizable clinical outcomes block, complete the comprehensive toolkit. The toolkit, upon testing and validation, would enable researchers and system owners to assess patient-oriented aspects of audiovisual telemedicine encounters more accurately and accelerate the adoption of common audiovisual telemedicine assessment measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"437-445"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10059647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Equity in virtual care: A mixed methods study of perspectives from physicians.","authors":"Timothy C Guetterman, Emily Koptyra, Olivia Ritchie, Liz B Marquis, Reema Kadri, Anna Laurie, Vg Vinod Vydiswaran, Jiazhao Li, Lindsay K Brown, Tiffany C Veinot, Lorraine R Buis","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231194382","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231194382","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundVirtual care expanded rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how this shift affected healthcare disparities among subgroups of patients is of concern. Racial and ethnic minorities, older adults, individuals with less education, and lower-income households have lower rates of home broadband, smartphone ownership, and patient portal adoption, which may directly affect access to virtual care. Because primary care is a major access point to healthcare, perspectives of primary care providers are critical to inform the implementation of equitable virtual care.ObjectiveThe aim of this mixed methods study was to explore primary care physician experiences and perceptions of barriers and facilitators to equitable virtual care.DesignWe used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, which consists of first collecting and analyzing quantitative survey data, then using those results to inform a qualitative follow-up phase to explain and expand on results.ParticipantsPrimary care physicians in a family medicine department at an academic medical center responded to surveys (<i>n</i> = 38) and participated in interviews (<i>n</i> = 16).ApproachParticipants completed a survey concerning frequency and preferences about video visits, pros and cons of video visits, communication aspects, and sufficiency of the technology. A purposeful sample of participants completed semi-structured interviews about their virtual care experiences with a focus on equity for subpopulations.Key ResultsThe results indicated that physicians have observed equity issues for unique patient populations. The results add to the understanding of nuanced ways in which virtual care can increase and decrease healthcare access for unique populations. Patients with limited English proficiency were particularly affected by inequity in virtual care access.ConclusionAdditional research and interventions are needed to improve portal access for those with limited English proficiency. Improvements should focus on health system interventions that expand access without requiring increased patient burden.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"408-416"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10166143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Twenty-first century management of diabetes with shared telemedicine appointments.","authors":"David C Klonoff, Andrea M Yeung, Jingtong Huang, Juan C Espinoza, Jennifer K Raymond, Wei-An Andy Lee, Suneil K Koliwad, David Kerr","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231184503","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231184503","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This commentary article discusses the benefits of utilizing telemedicine to conduct shared medical appointments for people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. We conducted a literature review of articles about shared medical appointments or group medical visits in people with diabetes with associated clinical data. We identified 43 articles. Models of this approach to care have demonstrated positive outcomes in adults and children with type 1 diabetes. Shared telemedicine appointments also have the potential to improve diabetes self-management, reduce the treatment burden, and improve psychosocial outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes. Ten key recommendations for implementation are presented to guide the development of shared telemedicine appointments for diabetes. These recommendations can improve care for diabetes.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"446-453"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12224209/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9869573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Digital divide or digital exclusion? Do allied health professionals' assumptions drive use of telehealth?","authors":"Renee Cook, Helen M Haydon, Emma E Thomas, Elizabeth C Ward, Julie-Anne Ross, Clare Webb, Michael Harris, Carina Hartley, Clare L Burns, Angela P Vivanti, Phillip Carswell, Liam J Caffery","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231189846","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231189846","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionTelehealth use within allied health services currently lacks structure and consistency, ultimately affecting who can, and cannot, access services. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing allied health professionals' (AHP) selection of consumers and appointments for telehealth.MethodsThis study was conducted across 16 allied health departments from four Australian hospitals. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 58 AHPs. Analysis was underpinned by Qualitative Description methodology with inductive coding guided by Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach.ResultsSix themes were identified that influenced AHPs' evaluation of telehealth suitability and selection of consumers. These included the following: (1) ease, efficiency and comfort of telehealth for clinicians; (2) clear benefits of telehealth for the consumer, yet the consumers were not always given the choice; (3) consumers' technology access and ability; (4) establishing and maintaining effective therapeutic relationships via telehealth; (5) delivering clinically appropriate and effective care via telehealth; and (6) external influences on telehealth service provision. A further theme of 'assumption versus reality' was noted to pervade all six themes.DiscussionClinicians remain the key decision makers for whether telehealth is offered within allied health services. Ease and efficiency of use is a major driver in AHP's willingness to use telehealth. Assumptions and pre-conceived frames-of-reference often underpin decisions to not offer telehealth and present major barriers to telehealth adoption. The development of evidence-based, decision-support frameworks that engage the consumer and clinician in determining when telehealth is used is required. Services need to actively pursue joint decision-making between the clinician and consumer about service delivery preferences.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"376-385"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9943999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Does tele-exercise training for tetraplegia meet the spinal cord injury-specific physical activity guidelines? A 7-month longitudinal study.","authors":"Rodrigo Rodrigues Gomes Costa, Jefferson Rodrigues Dorneles, João Henrique Carneiro Leão Veloso, Carlos Wellington Passos Gonçalves, Frederico Ribeiro Neto","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231188989","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231188989","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionTele-exercise, defined as an intervention that offers physical training provided remotely, represents an alternative for remote care during social isolation and the absence of in-person interventions, considering the difficulties of regular exercise engagement in tetraplegia. The current study aimed to examine whether tele-exercise training in individuals with tetraplegia meets the recommendations proposed by the spinal cord injury (SCI)-specific guidelines, and the adherence.MethodsTwenty SCI tetraplegia performed tele-exercise training. The weekly training load of the tele-exercise training during the 27 weeks was compared to the estimated training load of SCI-specific guidelines: TW vigorous guideline: vigorous intensity of guideline proposed for Tweedy et al.; MG vigorous guideline: vigorous intensity of guideline proposed for Martin Ginis et al.; MG moderate guideline: moderate intensity of guideline proposed for Martin Ginis et al. Adherence was obtained weekly during 27 weeks.ResultsThe tele-exercise training load was 22.0% higher than the MG moderate guideline and 21.6% and 47.7% lower than the MG vigorous and TW vigorous guidelines, respectively. The tele-exercise training loads for men and women were, respectively, 2.3% and 35.0% higher than the MG moderate guideline; 34.0% and 13.2% lower than the MG vigorous guideline; and 56.1% and 42.1% lower than the TW vigorous guideline. Adherence was 45.1%.ConclusionThe tele-exercise training in men and women with tetraplegia for 7 months met the moderate intensity of recommendation proposed by one SCI exercise guideline. The adherence was 45.1%, with higher values for men compared to women. This finding shows that tele-exercise training may be an alternative exercise training intervention for tetraplegia and prompts reflexion on the inclusion of tele-exercise training in SCI exercise guidelines.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"338-346"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10004048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation intervention with the telerehabilitation method for amnestic mild cognitive impairment: A feasibility randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Berkan Torpil, Emel Pekçetin, Serkan Pekçetin","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231189541","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231189541","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionAlthough different cognitive rehabilitation (CR) approaches have been developed for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a standard method has not been determined for interventions, especially with the telerehabilitation (TR) method, which is one of the alternative solutions to the problems of accessing rehabilitation services. The study was planned to compare the effectiveness of the CR intervention applied in the older adults with amnestic-MCI with face-to-face and TR methods.MethodsA total of 68 participants were randomly assigned to the TR and face-to-face groups. TR method was delivered by teleconference method in the participant's own home. A 12-week CR intervention was applied to both groups. Pre- and post-intervention cognitive skills of the participants were evaluated using the Loewenstein occupational therapy cognitive assessment-geriatric (LOTCA-G).ResultsCognitive skills were increased in both groups (<i>p</i> < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in the post-intervention visual-spatial perception, praxis, and total LOTCA-G scores (<i>p</i> < 0.01).DiscussionIt was determined that a 12-week CR program had positive effects on cognitive functions in the older adults with amnestic MCI. Both TR and face-to-face methods can be used in CR interventions for amnestic MCI. In addition, the TR method can be advantageous in terms of time and accessibility.Clinical trial numberNCT05664984.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"320-327"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9934553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic: Using telemedicine for pre-operative surgical evaluation in breast disease.","authors":"Arielle P Stafford, Tanya L Hoskin, Tina J Hieken, Stacy Sanders, Sandhya Pruthi, Judy Boughey, Amy Degnim","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231194377","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231194377","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background/ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic motivated telemedicine care to decrease potential exposures for both patients and staff. We hypothesized that select breast surgical patients can be successfully evaluated pre-operatively with telemedicine.MethodsWith institutional review board approval, patients with telemedicine surgical consults between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 were identified retrospectively from our prospective breast surgical registry. The frequency of successful pre-operative evaluation using telemedicine alone was assessed, defined as cases in which surgery was completed on the planned day without changes to the surgical plan after physical examination in the pre-operative area. Differences in disease presentation, patient characteristics, and complications were evaluated by whether the first in-person visit occurred on the day of surgery versus the prior.ResultsA total of 374 patients underwent breast surgery between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020, of which 96 (25.7%) had a telemedicine consultation. After the telemedicine visit, 38 patients (39.6%) had additional in-person visits with the breast surgeon prior to their operative date, and 58 patients (60.4%) did not. Forty-five patients underwent breast-conserving therapies, 41 mastectomies (25 with reconstruction), two axillary dissections, and eight excisional biopsies. All surgeries were completed on the planned operative day, with no changes in surgical plans. Patients with telemedicine only prior to surgery were more likely to speak English (100% vs. 92.1%, <i>p</i> = 0.02) and have lower body mass index (median 24.9 vs. 29.2, <i>p</i> = 0.01). The frequency of in-person pre-operative visits varied significantly by surgeon (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Age, American Society of Anaesthesiologists score, distance from facility, clinical T/N category, surgery type, and complications did not differ between groups.ConclusionsTelemedicine can be utilized successfully for select breast surgical patients, with the ability to proceed to surgery in the majority of patients without additional in-person visits.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"454-459"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10435112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of a cardiopulmonary telerehabilitation using functional exercises in individuals after COVID-19 hospital discharge: A randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Marcela Mc da Silva, Daiane R Viana, Maria G Colucci, Luana A Gonzaga, Juliano F Arcuri, Maria Cm Frade, Carina A de Facio, Lívia Mp Zopelari, Tathyana En de Figueiredo, Francisco Jbz Franco, Aparecida M Catai, Valéria Ap Di Lorenzo","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231188394","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231188394","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionIndividuals with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may present respiratory and motor complications, requiring rehabilitation programs (RP) for long periods. However, access to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation is poor. Cardiopulmonary telerehabilitation is an alternative for cardiopulmonary dysfunction, improving functional capacity, dyspnea, and quality of life. Moreover, few clinical trials verified the effectiveness of telerehabilitation using functional exercise for post-COVID symptoms. Thus, the present study aimed to verify the effects of cardiopulmonary telerehabilitation using functional and accessible exercises in individuals after COVID-19 hospital discharge.MethodsThis blinded, randomized, and controlled clinical trial and included 67 adult individuals after COVID-19 hospital discharge. Participants were randomized into the groups of telerehabilitation (TG; <i>n</i> = 33) and control (CG; <i>n</i> = 34). TG underwent an individualized exercise program (functional and accessible exercises) supervised by a physical therapist (videoconference), and CG received guidance on general care and self-monitoring of vital signs (videoconference). The primary outcome was performance and physiological responses on the 6-minute step test (6MST). Secondary outcomes were performance on the 2-minute stationary walk test (2MSWT), 30-second chair stand test (30CST), and quality of life using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire physical functioning concept (PF).ResultsFunctional capacity (6MST) improved by 28 ± 17 steps in TG and 15 ± 26 in CG (<i>p</i> = 0.04). For secondary outcomes, performance on 2MSWT increased by 39 ± 6 steps in TG and 10 ± 6 in CG (<i>p</i> = 0.00); 30CST by 3 ± 1 repetitions in TG and 1.5 ± 0.5 in CG (<i>p</i> = 0.05); and PF (SF-36) by 17 ± 4 points in TG and 12 ± 4 in CG (<i>p</i> = 0.00). Also, peak oxygen uptake VO_2peak (6MST) improved by 3.8 ± 1 mL min^-1 kg^-1 in TG and 4.1 ± 1 in CG (<i>p</i> = 0.6), and heart rate demand (6MST) by 11 ± 37% in TG and -4 ± 19% in CG (<i>p</i> = 0.04).ConclusionsCardiopulmonary telerehabilitation using functional exercises improved the exercise and functional capacity assessed using 6MST, 30CST, and 2MSWT and the quality of life of individuals after COVID-19 hospital discharge.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"311-319"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9964277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of teleneonatology on the Transport Risk Index of Physiologic Stability score for outborn neonates: A prospective, observational study.","authors":"Rahul K Patel, Beth L Kreofsky, Roland C Hentz, Jennifer L Fang","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231196334","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231196334","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionTeleneonatology (TN) allows neonatologists to use real-time, audio-video telemedicine to manage critically ill neonates located in community hospitals (CHs). The California Transport Risk Index of Physiologic Stability (Ca-TRIPS) score is a validated metric that predicts the risk of 7-day mortality for neonates undergoing medical transport. We hypothesized that neonates born in CHs who received TN consults would have lower (better) Ca-TRIPS scores upon arrival of the transport team than those who did not.MethodsNeonates born in CHs between 8 December 2018 and 31 July 2022 who were transported to the neonatal intensive care unit were screened for eligibility. TN was available at 50% (12/24) of CHs, where care teams decided when to activate the service. Study data were abstracted from the electronic health record and used to calculate Ca-TRIPS scores. Scores were evaluated using zero-inflated negative binomial regression.ResultsForty-two percent (161/385) of neonates received a TN consult. Neonates that received TN had lower birth weight, gestational age, and Apgar scores and were more often admitted with respiratory distress syndrome and respiratory failure. Neonates who received TN were less likely to have a Ca-TRIPS score of zero (odds ratio 0.51; 95% confidence interval 0.33, 0.78). When adjusted for baseline characteristics, this difference was no longer significant. Non-zero Ca-TRIPS scores were not different between groups.DiscussionIn this observational study, neonates that received TN did not have lower (better) Ca-TRIPS scores. Findings may be limited by confounding bias given between-group differences in baseline patient characteristics. Randomized studies are needed to determine whether TN impacts the physiologic stability of neonates requiring medical transport.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"398-407"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41166798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The professional agenda and its effect on the implementation of telemedicine among primary care physicians: A qualitative study.","authors":"Avivit Golan Cohen, Yossi Tal, Daniel Hersh, Shlomo Vinker, Eugene Merzon, Ilan Green, Ariel Isrel, Atalia Tuval","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231193787","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231193787","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionStudies show that physicians' attitudes are a major influential factor in the degree of implementation of telemedicine and that most of them identify much more opportunities in this type of visit than risks. These findings do not explain the observed decrease in the use of telemedicine in primary care with the decline of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of our study was to understand the gap between the attitudes that primary care physicians declare towards telemedicine and the extent to which they use it in practice.MethodsA qualitative research using a semi-structured phone interview with 33 primary care physicians experienced in telemedicine from Leumit Health Services, a health fund in Israel. A qualitative thematic analysis method was used to extract the main themes from all interviews, and descriptive statistical tests were used to analyze the demographic variables.ResultsThe attitude of the physicians depended on the perception of their professional identity and their sense of control over telemedicine implementation. The more established their professional identity and the stronger the support from the organization in the technology integration, the more positive the physician's attitude towards this type of visit.DiscussionHealthcare organizations that wish to improve the use of telemedicine in primary care should understand that this is more than just the implementation of new technology: they must find a way to properly support the profound change that doctors must undergo when defining their new role and professional status.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"386-397"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10218353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}