How do digital healthcare meetings impact the quality of healthcare? - A case study at Sahlgrenska University Hospital to explore digital healthcare meetings’ impact on quality within healthcare

Abstract

Digitalization and covid-19 have changed routines for providing healthcare and drastically increased the usage of digital healthcare meetings. But the rapid implementation has left a gap in knowledge regarding its impact on quality within healthcare. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate how the quality of healthcare has been affected by digital healthcare meetings. The research was carried out at two psychiatric units at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The objective was to explore the impact of using digital healthcare meetings and increase the knowledge within the area. The study used a case study strategy and collected data from 11 semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to find patterns in the data and create main themes as well as subthemes. The main themes’ impact was analysed based on the six quality dimensions within healthcare: safe, effective, patientcentered, timely, efficient, and equitable. Six main themes were found including usage, effect, increased accessibility, at home, digital interaction, and technology. The result showed that the usage of digital healthcare meetings had mainly a positive influence on the dimensions patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. Reasons for this were the improved flexibility of receiving healthcare, fewer cancellations, saved time and more equal access with less dependence on patients' geographic location. While it had mainly a negative influence on the dimensions safe, and effective. Reasons for this were the decreased secrecy between patient and personnel, reduced effect on certain treatments conducted and personnels’ limited ability to interact with patients directly.