Table 2 Overview of qualitative theme
Key areas of interest | Emerging main theme | Sub-themes | Quotes from data |
|---|---|---|---|
Using technology to support communication in the Multidisciplinary Team | A new way of working | • Collaboration • Personal skill development | ‘We have organised MDT meetings via teams with professionals from several organisations – this would have been impossible to set up in person so probably wouldn’t have happened pre-pandemic’. Respondent 11, Doctor ‘Using video conferencing for joint hospice/community/hospital MDT has facilitated increased participation and reduced the time commitment from travelling’. Respondent 21, Nurse |
Using technology to support Education | Developing a new approach to learning | • Accessibility • Convenience • Economic benefits | ‘Being able to attend remotely has allowed for more learning to be made use of due to flexibility and being opportunistic when 'quiet'.’ Respondent 34, Doctor ‘I used to think that face to face was always best, but in this last year I've come to realise that joining conferences, etc. remotely opens up access to experts in a whole new way and is so much more time efficient, not having to take whole days out and do loads of time-consuming travel—love it (and NEVER thought I'd say that!!!)’. Respondent 121, Nurse ‘With virtual training I've been able to attend training that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to go to, because they'd be too far away, too expensive, or take up too much time when travelling's included’. Respondent 2, Doctor |
• Social isolation • Fatigue • Technical issues | ‘Virtual (sessions) alone can lead to a feeling of isolation when learning and doesn't always facilitate questions and answers’ [sic]. Respondent 163, Nurse ‘I like to engage with the teaching and although it is possible to ask questions and become more involved via Zoom, for example, it is also possible to switch off and be less committed to the learning event due to being on ones own, being distractable, and not being observed’. Respondent 143, Clinical Psychologist ‘Technology tends to have “computer said no” errors and mishaps, along with questionable hospital WiFi. Often too many people in the office, even with masks on, causes plenty of feedback. Still difficult for people to get their heads around, in terms of how to operate online virtual sessions’. Respondent 100, Pharmacist | ||
Using technology to support communication in with patients and carers | Impacting care | • Psychological wellbeing • Physical wellbeing • Enhanced care | ‘At home quiz—the element of the socialising of this group has been helpful for our patients who perhaps feel quite isolated. we get on average 17 patients a week over 5 sessions (1 h long)’. Respondent 20, Doctor ‘Having technology available to facilitate communication with patients and their loved ones when visiting wasn’t possible made some extremely difficult situations more bearable for many dying patients and their families’. Respondent 148, Counsellor |
• Technological barriers • Privacy • Concern of less effective care | ‘IT can only work with those patients who have the technology available and can use it. On some occasions technology failed and the session had to be aborted’ Respondent 14, Nurse ‘How he presented over video was so much different to when he needed to come and see me face to face. He appeared frail and watching him walk from the waiting room to my room gave me a lot of information I was not privy to before. I was amazed at how much I had missed by videoing him!’ Respondent 122, Doctor |