Original Title: Évaluation terrain de l'implantation des téléconsultations vidéo durant la pandémie de la COVID-19 à l'IUCPQ

Authors' objectives: In response to the various measures and restrictions put in place by the Directorate of Public Health in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, a large proportion of outpatient clinical activities have been modified according to a defined load shedding plan. Appointments have been postponed and a new offer of video and telephone teleconsultation services has been set up at the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute – Laval University (Institute) in order to ensure continuity of care and services. To assess the advantages, limitations, facilitators and barriers related to teleconsultations at the Institute, a field evaluation of telehealth services was carried out based on semi-structured interviews.

Authors' results and conclusions: Several advantages associated with video teleconsultation were reported by respondents, including accessibility to non-verbal communication and the possibility of seeing the patient’s physical appearance. Improved access to care and services by saving time and costs related to travel and parking are benefits that could be significant for users in remote areas. A high proportion of consultations, where teaching plays an important role, was maintained thanks to the possibility of being able to present visual content at a distance. Although the use of video teleconsultation to deliver a serious diagnosis may be deemed appropriate if the user lives in a remote region, its appropriateness in such circumstances was not unanimous. The use of video teleconsultations also had several limitations, the main one being associated with the use of information technology and access to computer equipment. Thus, it was difficult to reach a certain proportion of users, including the older clientele, which can be a hindrance to the use of telehealth. Teleconsultations could also be limited in scope to the stages of a patient’s care pathway where a physical examination is necessary in order to guide clinical management. Overall, the benefits related to the use of teleconsultations depend on the needs of the users and the context in which they are applied. The contextual and experiential elements identified in this project will thus be able to support the development of decision algorithms or decision-making criteria.

Authors' methods: Semi-structured interviews

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://iucpq.qc.ca/fr/institut/qualite-et-performance/evaluation-des-technologies-et-modes-d-intervention-en-sante-etmis/accueil

Year Published: 2020

URL for published report: https://iucpq.qc.ca/sites/default/files/rap_evaluation_terrain_telesante_uetmis_iucpq_09-2020.pdf

Requestor: Professional Services Directorate

English language abstract: There is no English language summary available

Publication Type: Rapid Review

Country: Canada

Province: Quebec

Organisation Name: Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec – Université Laval (IUCPQ-ULaval)

Contact Address: 2725, chemin Sainte-Foy Québec QC G1V 4G5

Contact Name: uetmis.iucpq@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Contact Email: uetmis.iucpq@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Copyright: Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval