Background: Despite the overwhelming evidence that medication abortion care can be delivered safely and effectively through telemedicine services, Canadian abortion care providers have historically underutilized this modality of service delivery. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public health measures designed to flatten the curve both exacerbated existing inequities in access and prompted service delivery innovations in abortion care. -- Objectives: This project aimed to explore the experiences of women, transgender men, non-binary folks, gender non-conforming, and Two-Spirit individuals with the capacity for pregnancy (womxn) with telemedicine abortion care. By understanding facilitators and barriers to telemedicine use as well as abortion seekers' satisfaction with remote interactions, we aimed to identify ways of improving and fortifying the abortion care system in Ontario. -- Methods: Using a multi-modal recruitment strategy, we conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with womxn who obtained a telemedicine abortion in Ontario after March 15, 2020. We used inductive and deductive techniques to analyze these data for content and themes. -- Results: The two Ontarian womxn that we interviewed were highly satisfied with the telemedicine abortion care they received and would recommend this service delivery modality with others. -- Conclusions: The results from our pilot align with a growing body of research calling for the demedicalization of medication abortion care in Canada. Future research that expands on these findings can have both policy and service delivery implications.

Bakgrund Utvecklingen av digitala vårdtjänster går snabbt framåt och ses som ett kostnads- och tidseffektivt medel för ökad tillgänglighet. Vård via videomöten erbjuds inom primär-,sluten-, och specialistvård, både av privata och statliga aktörer. Den visuella möjligheten gör att videomöten är den vårdtjänst som mest liknar det fysiska vårdbesöket och används idag kontinuerligt. Vårdgivare som erbjuder vård på distans omfattas av samma lagar och regelverk som övrig hälso- och sjukvård. De är därmed skyldiga att bedriva jämlik vård som utgår från patienten, med hög kvalitet och på ett sätt som tillgodoser patientens behov av trygghet, kontinuitet och säkerhet. Syfte Syftet med studien var att belysa patientens upplevelse av digitala videomöten med hälso- och sjukvården. Metod En icke-systematisk litteraturöversikt utfördes och baserades på 16 vetenskapliga artiklar, av både kvalitativ och kvantitativ ansats. Databaserna Public Medline [PubMed] och Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL] användes för att söka efter de inkluderade artiklarna, med hjälp av sökord i olika kombinationer. Kvalitet granskades med Sophiahemmet Högskolas bedömningsunderlag för vetenskaplig klassificering och kvalitet. Innehåll analyserades med en integrerad analys för att sedan sammanställas i huvud och underkategorier. Resultat Sammanställningen resulterade i huvudkategorierna: Upplevelser av vårdens kvalitet och upplevelser av tillgänglighet. Inom huvudkategorierna framkom en delad bild av patientens tankar om videomöten utifrån individuella preferenser. En stor påverkansfaktor var hur relation och dialog upplevdes samt om trygghet kunde förmedlas genom dessa möten. Upplevelsen påverkades även av tillgänglighet och ökad flexibilitet. En del tyckte att det var en bekväm lösning medan andra hade tekniska svårigheter och upplevde videomöten negativt. Slutsats En sedan tidigare etablerad vårdkontakt med kunskap om sjukdomshistoria upplevdes viktigare än på vilket sätt vårdbesöket utfördes. Resultatet visade även att samverkan, stöd och trygghet kunde främjas via videomöten. Inför operation utgjorde videomöten en möjlighet att samtala direkt med kirurgen och få tydlig information om ingrepp och risker vilket upplevdes lugnande. / Background Digital health services are rapidly developing into a cost and time effective way to increase accessibility for patients. Healthcare by video is offered for primary and specialist care, both by private and public actors. The visual aspect of video conferencing makes it the health care service most resembling that of a physical meeting. Caregivers who offer the service follow the same rules and regulations as all other health care services. They are therefore regulated to offer equal, high-quality healthcare based on individual needs and in a way that meets the patient needs of safety and continuity. Aim The aim of this study was to describe patient experiences and preferences of video appointments in a health care setting. Method A non-systematic literature review was conducted based on 16 scientific articles of both qualitative and quantitative design. The database searches were performed in PublicMedline [PubMed] and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL], using appropriate keywords. A quality assessment of the 16 articles was made using Sophiahemmet’s quality matrix for scientific classification and quality assurance. The chosen articles were analyzed using an integrated analysis and subsequently grouped into two main categories. Results The compilation resulted in the following main categories: experience of quality of care and experiences of availability. The acceptance of video conferences was based on individual preferences. A major influencing factor was how dialogue and relationships were experienced and whether rapport could be conveyed through these appointments or not. The experience was also influenced by availability and increased flexibility. Some found it a convenient solution, while others had difficulty with the technology and experienced video appointments in a negative way. Conclusions A previously established relationship to health care professionals with knowledge of medical history was considered more important than the way in which the appointment was carried out. Collaboration, rapport, and security could be promoted through video. Before surgery, it provided an opportunity to talk with the surgeon and receive clear information about procedures and risks, which was perceived as reassuring.

Yes / Objective: To evaluate a 24/7, nurse led telephone and video-consultation support service for patients thought to be in the last year of life in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven. Method: Activity and other data recorded at the time of calls were analysed. Interviews with 13 participants captured patients and carers perspectives. Results: Between April 1st 2014 and March 31st 2015, 4648 patients were registered on the Gold Line. 42% had a non-cancer diagnosis and 46% were not known to specialist palliative care services. The median time on the caseload was 49 days (range 1-504 days). 4533 telephone calls and 573 video consultations were received from 1813 individuals. 39% of the 5106 calls were resolved by Gold Line team without referral to other services. 69% of calls were made outside normal working hours. Interviews with patients and carers reported experiences of support and reassurance and the importance of practical advice. Conclusion: A nurse led, 24/7 telephone and video consultation service can provide valuable support for patients identified to be in the last year of life and their cares. The line enabled them to feel supported and remain in their place of residence, reducing avoidable hospital admissions and use of other services. Providing this service may encourage health care professionals to identify patients approaching the last year of life, widening support offered to this group of patients beyond those known to specialist palliative care services. / Health Foundation adn Shared Purpose

Effective patient-provider communication (PPC) involves conveying sufficient information to a patient such that the treatment is agreed upon and implemented accurately. Furthermore, a patient must feel adequately involved in the treatment process. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, many clinical visits were shifted online. Although telemedicine was successful in meeting pandemic-specific goals, such as lowering personal contact, it changes the communicative context. Both patients and providers get less input from body language (nonverbal communication) and rely more on verbal communication. Furthermore, the number of telemedicine visits conducted remains elevated over pre-pandemic levels. Much of what is known about effective PPC is derived from studies in in-person contexts, with little information available in virtual contexts. Given that even occasional lapses in optimal PPC can have severe effects on patient outcomes, it is essential to understand PPC in various settings to optimize patient outcomes in the long run. This study was a secondary data analysis of the UCF Student Health Services Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. A total of 6645 survey results from January 2021 to November 2022 were analyzed to compare patient perceptions of PPC variables and overall satisfaction with the clinical visit. The results indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in overall satisfaction and PPC variables between telemedicine and in-person visits. However, the results revealed that different PPC variables contributed to overall satisfaction with telemedicine and in-person visits. Keywords: patient-provider communication, telemedicine, telehealth, COVID-19, patient satisfaction, college

The overall aim of the research was to produce a validated framework for a Malaysian integrated and distributed telemedicine system. The framework was constructed so that it was capable of being useful in retrieving and storing a patient’s lifetime health record continuously and seamlessly during the downtime of the computer system and the unavailability of a landline telecommunication network. The research methodology suitable for this research was identified including the verification and validation strategies. A case study approach was selected for facilitating the processes and development of this research. The empirical data regarding the Malaysian health system and telemedicine context were gathered through a case study carried out at the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOHM). The telemedicine approach in other countries was also analysed through a literature review and was compared and contrasted with that in the Malaysian context. A critical appraisal of the collated data resulted in the development of the proposed framework (MyTel) — a flexible telemedicine framework for the continuous upkeep of patients’ lifetime health records. Further data were collected through another case study (by way of a structured interview in the outpatient clinics/departments of MOHM) for developing and proposing a lifetime health record (LHR) dataset for supporting the implementation of the MyTel framework. The LHR dataset was developed after having conducted a critical analysis of the findings of the clinical consultation workflow and the usage of patients’ demographic and clinical records in the outpatient clinics. At the end of the analysis, the LHR components, LHR structures and LHR messages were created and proposed. A common LHR dataset may assist in making the proposed framework more flexible and interoperable. The first draft of the framework was validated in the three divisions of MOHM that were involved directly in the development of the National Health ICT project. The division includes the Telehealth Division, Public and Family Health Division and Planning and Development Division. The three divisions are directly involved in managing and developing the telehealth application, the teleprimary care application and the total hospital information system respectively. The feedback and responses from the validation process were analysed. The observations and suggestions made and experiences gained advocated that some modifications were essential for making the MyTel framework more functional, resulting in a revised/final framework. The proposed framework may assist in achieving continual access to a patient’s lifetime health record and for the provision of seamless and continuous care. The lifetime health record, which correlates each episode of care of an individual into a continuous health record, is the central key to delivery of the Malaysian integrated telehealth application. The important consideration, however, is that the lifetime health record should contain not only longitudinal health summary information but also the possibility of on-line retrieval of all of the patient’s health history whenever required, even during the computer system’s downtime and the unavailability of the landline telecommunication network.

Trust and its antecedents have been demonstrated as a barrier to the successful adoption of numerous fields of technology, most notably e-commerce, and may be a key factor in the lack of adoption or adaptation in the field of telemedicine. In the medical arena, trust is often formed through the relationships cultivated over time via clinician and patient. Trust and interpersonal relationships may also play a significant role in the adoption of telemedicine. The idea of telemedicine has been explored for nearly 30 years in one form or another. Yet, despite grandiose promises of how it will someday significantly improve the healthcare system, the field continues to lag behind other areas of technology by 10 to 15 years. The reasons for the lack of adoption may be many given the barriers that have been observed by other researchers with regards to trust and trustworthiness. This study examined the role of trust from various aspects within telemedicine, with particular emphasis on the role that trust plays in the adoption and adaptation of a telemedicine system. Simulators examined the role of trust in the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus (common illness) in order to assess the impact and role of trust components. Surveys of the subjects were conducted to capture the trust dynamics, as well as the development of a framework for successful implementation of telemedicine using trust and trustworthiness as a foundation. Results indicated that certain attributes do influence the level of trust in the system. The framework developed demonstrated that medical content, disease state management, perceived patient outcomes, and design all had significant impact on trust of the system.

O zumbido é um sintoma relatado frequentemente na rotina clínica fonoaudiológica, a qual está inserida desde a avaliação e diagnóstico até a intervenção deste sintoma. Diversos estudos são desenvolvidos com objetivos direcionados à promoção de saúde auditiva, sendo a Telessaúde uma alternativa para este cenário. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e avaliar uma plataforma virtual de transmissão de informações sobre o gerenciamento do zumbido para fonoaudiólogos utilizando a Teleducação. Visando oferecer atualização e conhecimento aos profissionais de todas as regiões do país, foi proposta a realização do curso à distância, por meio do Portal do Zumbido, disponibilizado no endereço eletrônico zumbido.fob.usp.br/. A plataforma é composta por módulos que contemplam a introdução ao sintoma, avaliação e intervenção do zumbido, sendo que todos os materiais elaborados são em forma de Infográficos disponibilizados para download. Foram convidados a avaliar a plataforma, fonoaudiólogos das diferentes regiões do Brasil por meio de correio eletrônico, havendo cadastramento de 46 profissionais. Deste total, 38 responderam a avaliação da plataforma virtual de aprendizagem, por meio de um questionário sobre o conteúdo teórico e uma Ficha de Pesquisa Motivacional. Os profissionais responderam corretamente entre 90% e 100% das questões, demonstrando que o conteúdo foi absorvido de forma positiva, além disto, o material foi considerado impressionante após a realização da análise dos dados da Ficha de Pesquisa Motivacional. O Portal do Zumbido foi elaborado e disponibilizado no endereço eletrônico zumbido.fob.usp.br/, com avaliação satisfatória pelos profissionais participantes do estudo. / Tinnitus is a prevalent symptom in the audiological clinics and the speech therapist participate in the assessment, diagnose and intervention of tinnitus. A range of studies are developed with the aim to promote auditory health, thus telemedicine is an option for this purpose. According to the purpose of telemedicine, the aim of the present study was to develop and to evaluate a virtual platform on tinnitus management for speech therapists. The purpose was to offer distance learning course, by means of Portal do Zumbido, available in the following eletronic address: zumbido.fob.usp.br/. The platform was composed for modules and comprised the introduction to the symptom, assessment and intervention for tinnitus and the elaborated information is presented by means of infographics, available to download. Speech therapists of different regions of Brazil, receveid an e-mail invitation to participate and avaluate the study and 46 were registered. From all the 46 speech therapists registered, 38 evaluated the virtual platform, by means of a questionnaire about the theoric content and a Motivational Research. The professionals correctly answered 90% and 100% of the questions, which means the content was learned, in addittion, the content was considered to be impressive when the Motivational Research was analysed. The Portal do Zumbido was elaborated and provided in the following eletronic address: zumbido.fob.usp.br/, furthermore, the speech therapists made satisfactory evaluation.

INTRODUÇÃO: A hanseníase persiste como grave problema de saúde pública no Brasil, e não foi atingida até o momento a meta de eliminação determinada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde. As Equipes de Saúde da Família (ESFs) constituem uma ampla rede de profissionais que atuam na atenção primária. A educação a distância em hanseníase destas equipes representa uma estratégia atraente. Ao permitir a identificação precoce de casos, seguida de tratamento adequado, favorece a cura e reduz incapacidades e/ou seqüelas. MÉTODOS: Foi planejado o desenvolvimento de um Curso de Extensão Universitária, utilizando tecnologias interativas voltadas para a educação a distância dos profissionais da saúde. Contou-se com planejamento pedagógico específico. Durante este processo, previu-se que os centros de referências em hanseníase pudessem atuar junto a estes profissionais que trabalham em pontos isolados e com alta prevalência da doença. Foi planejada a elaboração do ambiente de teleducação para oferecimento do curso, incluindo a criação de um simulador de casos voltado para o reconhecimento da doença, além de outras informações julgadas essenciais por dermatologistas. Elaborou-se uma metodologia para avaliar a adequação do seu conteúdo. Baseado no questionário validado WEBMAC (Web Site Motivational Analysis Checklist), um instrumento padronizado foi desenvolvido para avaliar a satisfação deste curso a distância. RESULTADOS: Foi realizado um curso de hanseníase a distância, voltado para as Equipes de Saúde da Família (ESF) nas cidades de Manaus e Parintins, contando com fundamentação pedagógica baseada em conceitos construtivistas e da andragogia. As ferramentas do curso viabilizaram a interação entre os professores e os participantes. O Simulador de Casos (SC) demonstrou diferenças na capacidade de reconhecimento de casos em três grupos distintos, formados por: dermatologistas com experiência específica em hanseníase, dermatologistas sem experiência específica e alunos do quinto ano de medicina. Os dermatologistas com experiência específica obtiveram um melhor desempenho no SC. O seu conteúdo mostrou-se adequado na avaliação dos três grupos. Os participantes apresentaram retenção dos conceitos abordados no SC após um ano (avaliação tardia). Foi obtido elevado grau de satisfação com o curso por meio de instrumento padronizado. CONCLUSÃO: A estratégia educacional mostrou-se factível, e os resultados alcançados favorecem o desenvolvimento futuro de iniciativa em larga escala destinada à educação a distância em Hanseníase das ESFs e a abordagem de outros temas em saúde. / INTRODUCTION: Leprosy remains as a serious public health problem in Brazil, and it was not yet achieved the goal of eliminating leprosy determined by the World Health Organization. Family Health Teams (FHTs) form a wide network of professionals who work in primary care. Distance education in leprosy of these teams represents an attractive strategy. Since it could allow early case identification, followed by appropriate treatment, it maximizes cure and reduces disability and/or sequels. METHODS: It was planned to develop an Extension University Course, using interactive technologies directed to distance education of health professionals. It had specific educational plan. During this process, it was decided that leprosy reference centers could act with these professionals who work in isolated areas and with a high prevalence of the disease. It included the creation of a case simulator toward disease recognition, and extra information considered essential by dermatologists. A methodology to evaluate adequacy of its contents was created. Based on WEBMAC (Web Site Motivational Analysis Checklist) validated questionnaire, a standardized instrument was developed to assess the satisfaction of this course. RESULTS: It was realized a leprosy distance course, directed to FHTs from the cities of Manaus and Parintins, that included pedagogical fundamental based on constructivist and andragogic concepts. Course tools enabled interaction between teachers and participants. Case Simulator (CS) disclosed differences in the ability of recognition of cases into three distinct groups, formed by: dermatologists with specific experience in leprosy, dermatologists without specific experience and fifth year students of medicine. The dermatologists with specific experience obtained a better performance in the CS. Its content assessed by all three groups seemed to be appropriated. Participants showed retention of the concepts cited in the CS after a year (late evaluation). The course obtained high degree of satisfaction and it was demonstrated by standardized instrument. CONCLUSION: The course proved to be feasible, and results favor the development of future large-scale initiative focused on distance education in leprosy for FHTs and the approach to others health subjects.

Introdução: A comunicação é o processo pelo qual ocorrem compreensão e compartilhamento de mensagens enviadas e recebidas, sendo que o conteúdo destas mensagens exerce influência no comportamento das pessoas envolvidas. Atualmente, a área da saúde tem utilizado ferramentas de cuidado à distância para prestar assistência aos pacientes em diversos contextos - a chamada Telessaúde. A influência desta modalidade de cuidado sobre a natureza e o conteúdo da comunicação deve ser muito bem compreendida, visto que o processo de comunicação humana adequado é essencial na assistência à saúde com qualidade. Objetivos: avaliar a percepção do profissional da saúde referente a elementos de Comunicação Humana no cuidado por Telessaúde. Os objetivos específicos foram: verificar que elementos de Comunicação Humana o enfermeiro e o médico identificam no cuidado por Telessaúde, e discutir, por meio dos achados, em que aspectos essa modalidade de cuidado pode impactar na comunicação interpessoal entre os profissionais de saúde e, consequentemente, na assistência aos pacientes. Método: pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa, realizada com 20 profissionais que atuam em telessaúde no Brasil. Os dados foram coletados com médicos e enfermeiros por meio de sistema de vídeo ou áudio, no período de junho a outubro de 2014. O número de participantes foi determinado pela saturação de dados, conforme metodologia adotada. Os dados foram analisados pela proposta de análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: Dos discursos emergiram quatro categorias principais, sendo a maioria composta de subcategorias: Entendendo a importância da comunicação (Comunicação adequada é fundamental, pois interfere na conduta; Identificando as barreiras de comunicação); O relacionamento interpessoal interferindo na comunicação; Comunicando-se por meio da tecnologia (Tecnologia facilita a prática; Entendendo os fatores que dificultam a comunicação à distância; Identificar o não verbal por telessaúde é mais difícil) e Aprendendo o processo de comunicação (Não há dificuldades em comunicar-se; Importância do aprendizado da comunicação verbal e não verbal; Importância do aprendizado da telessaúde). Conclusão: Concluímos com este estudo que a comunicação interpessoal adequada na área da saúde é considerada primordial por médicos e enfermeiros que atuam em Telessaúde no Brasil porque acreditam interferir em sua conduta profissional. O relacionamento interpessoal é o principal fator de interferência nesse processo. A tecnologia tem facilitado a prática profissional, porém, do ponto de vista comunicacional, o cuidado à distância apresenta nuances que dificultam o processo de comunicação, principalmente devido à dificuldade de percepção do não verbal na assistência por telessaúde. Para superar estas dificuldades, médicos e enfermeiros concordam que a comunicação é uma competência que deve ser lecionada aos profissionais durante sua formação e, especificamente para atuação à distância, esta habilidade deve ser ensinada considerando as nuances que a distância pode trazer no processo comunicacional entre as pessoas. / Introduction: Communication is the process through which understanding and sharing of sent and received messages occur, considering that the content of these messages influences the behaviour of people involved. Nowadays, the health care segment has used distance care tools to serve patients in different contexts - the so-called Telehealth. The influence of this type of care on the nature and content of communication must be well understood, since the adequate process of human communication is essential in quality health assistance. Objectives: evaluate the perception of the health care professional regarding Human Communication elements in Telehealth care. The specific objectives were: verifying which elements of Human Communication the nurse and the doctor identify in Telehealth care, and dissussing, through findings, in which aspects this type of care can impact the interpersonal communication among health care professionals and, consequently, patients care. Method: descriptive research, with qualitative approach, performed with 20 professionals who work in Telehealth in Brazil. Data were collected from doctors and nurses through audio or video system, from June to October 2014. The number of participants was determined by saturation of data, according to adopted methodology. Data were analyzed by the content analysis proposal of Bardin. Results: From the discourses, four main categories emerged, and most are composed of subcategories: understanding the importance of communication (dequate communication is fundamental, because it interferes in behaviour; Identifying the limitations of communication); The interpersonal relationship interfering in the communication; Communicating through technology (Technologies facilitates practice; Understanding the factors that make distance communication difficult; Identifying the non-verbal through Telehealth is more difficult) and Learning the process of communication (There are no difficulties in communicating; The Importance of learnig verbal and non-verbal communication; The importance of Telehealth learning). Conclusion: We have concluded in this study that adequate interpersonal communication in health care is considered fundamental by doctors and nurses that work in Telehealth in Brazil because it is believed that it interferes with their professional behaviour. Interpersonal relationship is the main factor of interference in this process. Technology has facilitated professional practice, however, from a communicational perspective, distance health care presents nuances that make the process of communication difficult , maily due to the difficulty of perception of non-verbal aspects in Telehealth care. To overcome these difficulties, doctors and nurses agree that communication is a competence that must be taught to professionals during their professional education and, especifically to work at distance, this ability must be taught taking into consideration the nuances that distance may bring in the communication process among people.

- / The present study aims to establish the level of diagnostic reliability provided by the transmission of a videolaryngoscopy by videoconference (VC), evaluating the quality of the transmitted images and its impact on diagnoses. Two DVDs with 60 laryngoscopy (30 fiberscopies and 30 telescopies) images, corresponding to 30 original and 30 transmitted by VC, were evaluated by 6 laryngologists who answered a questionnaire on the quality of the selected images (scores from 0 to 3) and on the diagnoses of the related disease. A third DVD with 26 pairs of images, an original and a VC, or two original, was also analyzed by the examiners who had to select which image presented the best quality, which corresponded to the VC image, and the possible impact of such differences on the quality of diagnoses. A high level of agreement (K = 0.911) was found among the examiners in relation to the identification of the VC (96,15% of accuracy) and to the best quality of the original image (K = 0,850). Although a partial agreement has been found among the examiners (K = 0,371), diagnoses was not jeopardized by the quality of the VC image in 75,64% of the cases. Original videotelescopy images (83,33% very good) showed the best quality and videofiberscopy VC the worst (36,66% very good and good). A high degree of correctness was found for the diagnoses by VC images (86,67% by fiberscopy and by telescopy). Consequently, the use of a VC to transmit videolaryngoscopy images has proved to be efficient for the remote diagnoses of larynx diseases