How does the use of digital consulting change the meaning of being a patient and/or a health professional? Lessons from the Long-term Conditions Young People Networked Communication study

TY - JOUR

T1 - How does the use of digital consulting change the meaning of being a patient and/or a health professional? Lessons from the Long-term Conditions Young People Networked Communication study

AU - Sturt, Jackie

AU - Huxley, Caroline

AU - Ajana, Btihaj

AU - Gainty, Caitjan

AU - Gibbons, Chris

AU - Graham, Tanya

AU - Khadjesari, Zarnie

AU - Lucivero, Federica

AU - Rogers, Rebecca

AU - Smol, Annie

AU - Watkins, Jocelyn A.

AU - Griffiths, Frances

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - BackgroundWhile studies have examined the impact of digital communication technology on healthcare, there is little exploration of how new models of digital care change the roles and identities of the health professional and patient. The purpose of the current study is to generate multidisciplinary reflections and questions around the use of digital consulting and the way it changes the meaning of being a patient and/or a health professional.MethodWe used a large pre-existing qualitative dataset from the Long-term conditions Young people Networked Communication (LYNC) study which involved interviews with healthcare professionals and a group of 16-24 years patients with long-term physical and mental health conditions. We conducted a three-stage mixed methods analysis. First, using a small sample of interview data from the LYNC study, we identified three key themes to explore in the data and relevant academic literature. Second, in small groups we conducted secondary analysis of samples of patient and health professional LYNC interview data. Third, we ran a series of rapid evidence reviews. FindingsWe identified three key themes: workload/flow, impact of increased access to healthcare, and vulnerabilities. Both health professionals and patients were ‘on duty’ in their role more often. Increased access to healthcare introduced more responsibilities to both patients and health professionals. Traditional concepts in medical ethics, confidentiality, empathy, empowerment/power, efficiency and mutual responsibilities are reframed in the context of digital consulting. ConclusionsOur collaboration identified conflicts and constraints in the construction of digital patients and digital clinicians. There is evidence that digital technologies change the nature of a medical consultation and with it the identities and the roles of clinicians and patients, which in turn, calls for a redefinition of traditional concepts of medical ethics. Overall, Digital consulting has the potential to significantly reduce costs while maintaining or improving patient care and clinical outcomes. Timely study of digital engagement in the NHS is a matter of critical importance.

AB - BackgroundWhile studies have examined the impact of digital communication technology on healthcare, there is little exploration of how new models of digital care change the roles and identities of the health professional and patient. The purpose of the current study is to generate multidisciplinary reflections and questions around the use of digital consulting and the way it changes the meaning of being a patient and/or a health professional.MethodWe used a large pre-existing qualitative dataset from the Long-term conditions Young people Networked Communication (LYNC) study which involved interviews with healthcare professionals and a group of 16-24 years patients with long-term physical and mental health conditions. We conducted a three-stage mixed methods analysis. First, using a small sample of interview data from the LYNC study, we identified three key themes to explore in the data and relevant academic literature. Second, in small groups we conducted secondary analysis of samples of patient and health professional LYNC interview data. Third, we ran a series of rapid evidence reviews. FindingsWe identified three key themes: workload/flow, impact of increased access to healthcare, and vulnerabilities. Both health professionals and patients were ‘on duty’ in their role more often. Increased access to healthcare introduced more responsibilities to both patients and health professionals. Traditional concepts in medical ethics, confidentiality, empathy, empowerment/power, efficiency and mutual responsibilities are reframed in the context of digital consulting. ConclusionsOur collaboration identified conflicts and constraints in the construction of digital patients and digital clinicians. There is evidence that digital technologies change the nature of a medical consultation and with it the identities and the roles of clinicians and patients, which in turn, calls for a redefinition of traditional concepts of medical ethics. Overall, Digital consulting has the potential to significantly reduce costs while maintaining or improving patient care and clinical outcomes. Timely study of digital engagement in the NHS is a matter of critical importance.

KW - access

KW - digital consulting

KW - Digital health

KW - empowerment

KW - healthcare professional

KW - identity

KW - Long-term Conditions Young People Networked Communication

KW - patient

KW - power

KW - workload

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85088380939&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/2055207620942359

DO - 10.1177/2055207620942359

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85088380939

SN - 2055-2076

VL - 6

JO - Digital Health

JF - Digital Health

ER -