Escape to the future – a qualitative study of physicians’ views on the work environment, education, and support in a digital context
(2023) In BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 23(1).- Abstract
Background: The use of remote services such as video consultations (VCs) has increased significantly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Sweden, private healthcare providers offering VCs have grown substantially since 2016 and have been controversial. Few studies have focused on physicians’ experiences providing care in this context. Our aim was to study physicians’ experiences of VCs, focusing on the work environment, quality of care, and educational needs. Methods: Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were performed with physicians working with VCs in Sweden, and analyzed through inductive content analysis. Results: We identified five categories; flexibility, social work environment, impact on care and society, continuous... (More)
Background: The use of remote services such as video consultations (VCs) has increased significantly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Sweden, private healthcare providers offering VCs have grown substantially since 2016 and have been controversial. Few studies have focused on physicians’ experiences providing care in this context. Our aim was to study physicians’ experiences of VCs, focusing on the work environment, quality of care, and educational needs. Methods: Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were performed with physicians working with VCs in Sweden, and analyzed through inductive content analysis. Results: We identified five categories; flexibility, social work environment, impact on care and society, continuous learning and career development, and organizational support. Flexibility and accessibility were considered positive features of working digitally by giving physicians control over their time and workplace and increasing patients’ timely access to healthcare. Regarding collegial contact and social activities in a digital context, the majority of the participants did not experience any significant difference compared to the physical context. Access to technical support services, educational support, and collegial support in decision-making, guidance, and consultations were described as well-functioning. Satisfied patients positively impacted the work environment, and participants felt that VCs have a positive socio-economic effect. Continuity of care was considered supported, but patients did not always prioritize this. Privacy risks were considered a challenge, as were poor development of clinical skills due to the low variation of patient cases. Working for an online healthcare provider was contributing to career advancements for junior clinicians. Conclusions: Physicians appreciate the flexibility of the digital context and seem satisfied with a work environment where they have a high level of control, but few consider this a full-time career option. The pandemic year 2020 has led to a significant increase in the implementation of VCs in traditional care systems. How this affects the work environment and continuous education needs and career development remains to be seen.
(Less)
- author
- Hägglund, Maria ; Ekwall, Anna Kristensson LU ; Davoody, Nadia and Farrokhnia, Nasim
- organization
- publishing date
- 2023-12
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- eHealth, Telemedicine, Video consultations, Work environment
- in
- BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
- volume
- 23
- issue
- 1
- article number
- 231
- publisher
- BioMed Central (BMC)
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:37858147
- scopus:85174530624
- ISSN
- 1472-6947
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12911-023-02337-7
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- b812a9ba-5760-45c9-b76e-8973f4031f55
- date added to LUP
- 2023-12-11 12:48:17
- date last changed
- 2024-04-24 06:17:38
@article{b812a9ba-5760-45c9-b76e-8973f4031f55,
abstract = {{<p>Background: The use of remote services such as video consultations (VCs) has increased significantly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Sweden, private healthcare providers offering VCs have grown substantially since 2016 and have been controversial. Few studies have focused on physicians’ experiences providing care in this context. Our aim was to study physicians’ experiences of VCs, focusing on the work environment, quality of care, and educational needs. Methods: Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were performed with physicians working with VCs in Sweden, and analyzed through inductive content analysis. Results: We identified five categories; flexibility, social work environment, impact on care and society, continuous learning and career development, and organizational support. Flexibility and accessibility were considered positive features of working digitally by giving physicians control over their time and workplace and increasing patients’ timely access to healthcare. Regarding collegial contact and social activities in a digital context, the majority of the participants did not experience any significant difference compared to the physical context. Access to technical support services, educational support, and collegial support in decision-making, guidance, and consultations were described as well-functioning. Satisfied patients positively impacted the work environment, and participants felt that VCs have a positive socio-economic effect. Continuity of care was considered supported, but patients did not always prioritize this. Privacy risks were considered a challenge, as were poor development of clinical skills due to the low variation of patient cases. Working for an online healthcare provider was contributing to career advancements for junior clinicians. Conclusions: Physicians appreciate the flexibility of the digital context and seem satisfied with a work environment where they have a high level of control, but few consider this a full-time career option. The pandemic year 2020 has led to a significant increase in the implementation of VCs in traditional care systems. How this affects the work environment and continuous education needs and career development remains to be seen.</p>}},
author = {{Hägglund, Maria and Ekwall, Anna Kristensson and Davoody, Nadia and Farrokhnia, Nasim}},
issn = {{1472-6947}},
keywords = {{eHealth; Telemedicine; Video consultations; Work environment}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
publisher = {{BioMed Central (BMC)}},
series = {{BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making}},
title = {{Escape to the future – a qualitative study of physicians’ views on the work environment, education, and support in a digital context}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12911-023-02337-7}},
doi = {{10.1186/s12911-023-02337-7}},
volume = {{23}},
year = {{2023}},
}