The impact of "modern telecommunication" in palliative care--the views of the professionals

BACKGROUND: Specialized palliative care teams are typically based in larger hospitals, from where home visits, telephone consultations, and support are given directly to patients and relatives, but also to professionals working on the frontline. One of the challenges is the long distances to the patients' homes. Modern telecommunication may help overcome this, but little is known about the perceived advantages and barriers to palliative care. This study analyzed the views on modern telecommunication from specialized palliative care professionals' perspective.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study is based on four semistructured group interviews where 17 health professionals from three different palliative care teams in the Central Denmark Region were interviewed from November 2009 to March 2010.

RESULTS: We found that face-to-face communication is essential. The participants perceived a potentially added communicative value in visual telecommunication but would never let it replace face-to-face communication. Ethical and practical concerns were expressed on the implementation of "modern telecommunication" and in particular strong reservations against permanent telemonitoring in the patient's home.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study underlines the necessity of face-to-face contact in optimal palliative care and that home visits were favored. The participants were generally positive toward telecommunication, although reservations and prerequisites were voiced.