Improving consumer trust in digital health: A mixed methods study involving people living with chronic kidney disease.

Aim: To explore preferences, experience and trust in digital health in people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and tailor these findings towards solutions that may enhance uptake of digital health services.

Methods: Mixed methods study, with cross-sectional survey and individual interviews with adults living with CKD attending specialist appointments at an Australian metropolitan hospital. Descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon matched-pairs test were used for survey responses and thematic analysis of interview transcripts, both reported on a theme-by-theme basis provided an overall understanding of trust in digital healthcare.

Telephone versus video consultations: A systematic review of comparative effectiveness studies and guidance for choosing the most appropriate modality.

Objective: This systematic review compared clinical, service and cost effectiveness of telephone consultations (TC) to video consultations (VC).

Methods: We searched Embase, CINAHL and MEDLINE for empirical studies that compared TC to VC using clinical, service or economic outcome measures. Clinician or patient preference and satisfaction studies were excluded.

Sustaining and expanding telehealth activity: Training requirements for Australian residential aged care front-line staff.

Objective: To identify the training needs of front-line aged care staff as perceived by senior clinicians and managers at selected residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Methods: A qualitative explorative designed study using semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of RACF senior managers and nurses. A hybrid analysis approach using a framework deductive analysis followed by inductive analysis for sub-themes.

Telehealth adoption in cancer clinical trials: An Australian perspective.

Introduction: Cancer clinical trials have traditionally occurred in-person. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced adaptions of all aspects of cancer care (including clinical trials) so they can be delivered remotely. We aimed to quantify and qualify current use of telehealth and how it can be further improved and routinely integrated into cancer clinical trials in Australia.

Digital health experiences reported in chronic disease management: An umbrella review of qualitative studies.

Introduction: Digital health interventions can be useful for the management of chronic disease. The aim of this study was to draw out universal themes to understand how people with chronic conditions experience digital health services, programmes, and interventions, and consequently, better inform future digital health delivery.

Methods: An umbrella review was conducted to identify qualitative systematic reviews reporting digital health experiences in chronic disease.

Cancer care and management during COVID-19: A comparison of in-person, video and telephone consultations.

In Australia, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the exponential growth in the delivery of telehealth services. Medicare data indicates that the majority of telehealth consultations have used the telephone, despite the known benefits of using video. The aim of this study was to understand the perceived quality and effectiveness of in-person, telephone and videoconsultations for cancer care.

Economic Evaluations of Remote Patient Monitoring for Chronic Disease: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically review and summarize economic evaluations of noninvasive remote patient monitoring (RPM) for chronic diseases compared with usual care.

Methods: A systematic literature search identified economic evaluations of RPM for chronic diseases, compared with usual care. Searches of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and EconLit using keyword synonyms for RPM and economics identified articles published from up until September 2021.

Beyond forced telehealth adoption: A framework to sustain telehealth among allied health services.

Introduction: As COVID-19 restrictions reduce globally, services will determine what components of care will continue via telehealth. We aimed to determine the clinician, service, and system level factors that influence sustained use of telehealth and develop a framework to enhance sustained use where appropriate.

Methods: This study was conducted across 16 allied health departments over four health service facilities (Brisbane, Australia).

Factors influencing the effectiveness of remote patient monitoring interventions: a realist review.

Objectives: Our recent systematic review determined that remote patient monitoring (RPM) interventions can reduce acute care use. However, effectiveness varied within and between populations. Clinicians, researchers, and policymakers require more than evidence of effect; they need guidance on how best to design and implement RPM interventions.

An overview of the effect of telehealth on mortality: A systematic review of meta-analyses.

Introduction: Telehealth is recognised as a viable way of providing health care over distance, and an effective way to increase access for individuals with transport difficulties or those living in rural and remote areas. While telehealth has many positives for patients, clinicians and the health system, it is important that changes in the delivery of health care (e.g.

Does remote patient monitoring reduce acute care use? A systematic review.

Objective: Chronic diseases are associated with increased unplanned acute hospital use. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) can detect disease exacerbations and facilitate proactive management, possibly reducing expensive acute hospital usage. Current evidence examining RPM and acute care use mainly involves heart failure and omits automated invasive monitoring.

Determining if Telehealth Can Reduce Health System Costs: Scoping Review.

Background: Telehealth represents an opportunity for Australia to harness the power of technology to redesign the way health care is delivered. The potential benefits of telehealth include increased accessibility to care, productivity gains for health providers and patients through reduced travel, potential for cost savings, and an opportunity to develop culturally appropriate services that are more sensitive to the needs of special populations. The uptake of telehealth has been hindered at times by clinician reluctance and policies that preclude metropolitan populations from accessing telehealth services.

A review of literature supporting the development of practice guidelines for teledermatology in Australia.

Despite the potential of teledermatology to increase access to dermatology services and improve patient care, it is not widely practised in Australia. In an effort to increase uptake of teledermatology, Australian-specific practice guidelines for teledermatology are being developed by the Australasian College of Dermatologist. This paper reports finding from literature reviews that were undertaken to inform the development of these guidelines.

A Systematic Review of Pediatric Telediabetes Service Models.

Telediabetes may improve patient access to clinicians who specialize in the management of pediatric diabetes. Due to the diversity of telehealth modes, many different service models for pediatric telediabetes have been developed. This review describes pediatric telediabetes service models identified in the literature, investigates the reported changes in HbA1c of these interventions, and describes enablers and barriers to implementing a telediabetes service.

The breakeven point for implementing telehealth.

Introduction: There are finite resources available to spend on healthcare, with the increasing burden of disease and the increasing cost of providing healthcare it is imperative that methods for optimising health systems to improve sustainability are investigated. This study is part of a larger body of work investigating the potential for telehealth to improve the economic sustainability of the health system. The aim of this sub-analysis is to investigate the breakeven point for implementing a telehealth service; that is the point after which the initial investment is recouped and the cost savings have become tangible.