Benefits and Limitations of Telehealth in Maternal Care Services
This report gives the expectation of the school on the student concerning the knowledge and the skills that are acquired after the gaining theoretical aspect of the profession. The chief aspect of this is to enable the student to integrate the practical scenario and theoretical dimension for the development of effective and Efficient Professional Competency in the workstation. The health sector is one of the markets that not only receives an increased number of clients but also improvements in the adoption and use of technology in its system. The revolution and the digitization of technological services have greatly improved the communication services in the sector for both patients and caregivers (von Storch et al., 2019). It is a norm for the undergraduate health care professional to build a positive attitude on the continuous improvement of the skills and knowledge to attain the quality standards in the advancement of the performance by realizing the objectives optimally.
The need for the delivery of resounding maternity care among the maternity women due to the complications that are associated with pregnancy has called for the improvement of the service delivery that requires high-tech. the high-tech has brought in very significant intervention in the improvement of the healthcare outcomes. Several benefits can be driven by telehealth such as improving the health status of pregnant women (Butler Tobah et al., 2019). The study will carry out a thematic analysis of the four themes obtained from this study. The report gives the framework the accountability that will explore the degree to which the theoretical vectors are addressed during the health information practices. The report will majorly focus on the weakness and the strengths that will exhibit the health practices and ultimately evaluate the placement in the continuous learning process in regards to the placement of research assistants. The themes were driven by the two questions which were to enable the participant to understand the benefits and the limitations of telehealth the maternal care services.
The section will give an overview of the activities that are expected from the research assistant and the placement which are intertwined with the leadership skills in any given project. These will activities will integrate the theories outlined that are informed even the firm or the organizational dimensions. For an effective creation of the understanding of the leadership intricacies, there will be a need for the placement which involves the presence of the research assistant in acquiring the training to gain insight on the public health. The areas will include the need to embrace different styles of leadership, characteristics and the acquisition of the skills, team building, and efficient and effective leadership training. There is a need to develop conceptual framework models for the creation of public health leadership training.
Quality leadership training requires seminar attendance to address the targeted weak areas to strengthen the capacity of the health workers and the health educators. The training is expected to address the key learning and teaching modalities that are based on the session designing, teaching and learning objectives, training resources, and experimental learning. The placement was informed by the world health organization’s principles of training trainers for the effectual development of intra-personal skills of the educators to enhance leadership skills and policies to facilitate a sustainable and quality health care system. The achievement of these policies will enable the locals to realize their great latent health safety and equity to integrate the national and the international partnership.
Leadership and Research Skills for Effective Public Health Practice
This is done by the national, and international public health workers, students, and policymakers which is different from the health promotion programs that majorly focus on the evaluation, implementation, and planning. This will enhance the evaluation of the valuable best leadership practices that will aim at improving the leadership qualities. The placement allows the student to develop the required attributes of efficient leadership for the public health graduates.
There are a number of the required theoretical principles that students are expected to have to inform their behavior, these will include the leadership research project, which requires that the student have enough knowledge to evaluate the literature is very essential to adhere to the basic principles contrary to just elaborating on the summary without critiquing and giving the alternative of the identified gaps. This will be based entirely on the acquired knowledge and skills during the practice of public health which is outlined within the frameworks of a taxonomy of the educational objectives.
Professional knowledge will encompass the complete knowledge through experience, understanding of the content, and research studies this will help develop an integrated knowledge acquired through theories and the practical aspects. The seminars covering health education development are drawn from the training of trainer principles in line with training techniques. The training will enable the student to develop SMART research objectives.
Placement and Continuous Learning
The are several parameters that govern the student’s practices that support continuous learning
From the analysis of the impact of telehealthcare benefits and the limitation of the derived themes. Most of the respondents indicated that technology had significant limitations as indicated by the 32.29 percent out of the 76 analyses, the convenience of technology received a response of 15.8 %, physical check-ups and effective communication had 0.2%. this implies that besides several attempts to market the use of telehealthcare still little knowledge is known by the users.
Table Thematic Analysis
Theme |
Frequency |
Percentage |
Convenient |
29 |
15.8 |
Effective communication |
12 |
.2 |
Physical check-up |
10 |
13.26 |
Limitation of technology |
25 |
32.29 |
Total |
76 |
62.05 |
Figure 1 Thematic Analysis
It has been found that 15.8% of the 41 respondents indicated that telehealth was convenient. The majority of the respondents demonstrated that they prefer telehealth care due to its convenience it is time-saving, this was a result of most of the participants finding it easier if this could be done anywhere at the convenience of the patient. The patient needed not get permission from the work or activities as that exercise could be done at a convenient place and that implies that the exercise was more flexible and could accommodate the majority. The majority of the South Asians and Australians found it more productive as they could hold their conferences and discussions without necessarily seeking permission or a day off hence the system is more effective. Telehealth proves to be efficient and effective during the early stages of the quick check-ups at the home instead of traveling some or several distances which may not be cost-effective or economical. It has been found that seeking an appointment and cutting the cost of conveyance is not only economical and most convenient as one can still work and pursue healthcare services. Faster and unproblematic along with cutting the peripatetic time develops the comfort in the home and receives a similar expedient zone. Virtual visits from home or sofa and developing easier schedules on busy days have been considered the most important elements of convenience (Powell et al., 2017). For sample, identifier or participant number 317 reflects “Being able to do the appointments where ever you are”. The remote monitoring in the healthcare aspects has been growing continuously which has helped in improving the patient outcome and other healthcare services.
Placement and Continuous Learning
0.2 percent of the respondent thought that telehealth has effective communication. This implies that there is a need to improve the communication among people in the society thematic analysis has found that telehealth has developed significant benefits that have enhanced effective communication in improving the overall health outcome of the patients. It has been found that the participants were able to contact the healthcare provider effectively as the communication could be made in a quicker and shorter mode. For example, Easier to attend without having to take time off work, especially in early pregnancy. It is not essential to visit the healthcare setting and without visiting, one can communicate and provide the current status of health that would help inadequate development of treatment care and diagnosis. It has been found that adequate and clear communication has helped in developing the relationship between the patients and providers. Telehealth communication is considered a significant strength of the practice of telehealth as it uses digital information along with adequate communication technologies that would help reduce the distance between the care providers and care seekers. It helps in developing significant support for the overall healthcare services. Communicating with the barriers would help in meeting the needs of healthcare services along with improving the self-care as well as a key outcome in the broad spectrum within the healthcare services (Barbosa & Silva, 2017). Optimizing as well as developing the communication that would also help in engaging the relationship and care seekers can take the relevant advice and consultation from the comfort of home. For example, attending telehealth appointments was convenient, especially while still working. Also “convenient from a time perspective as no need to travel.”
Besides the advantages brought by telehealthcare still exist some drawbacks to the use of technology as some participant felt that physical check-up was still necessary for the expectant mothers. It is difficult to show the physical symptoms to the healthcare providers such as swollen feet, fundal growth, and another element of poor assessments such as blood pressure measurement. Telehealth also develops the increase in lesser human interaction. For example, “It’s not the same as face-to-face visits. It wasn’t as private for me – having to do it at work, the conversation could be heard.” Thus, it has been found that the rapport with the help of telehealth is low and it may impact poor understanding of health conditions among the patients. The absolute nil physical check-ups have developed the major limitations. Many of the responders have also stated that telehealth should not be recommended for first-time mothers as there is a lack of information to take adequate care. Many people also stated that they have felt disconnection as it has been found that there are different people in the telehealth services or appointments (Shigekawa et al., 2018). The anxiety and fear of poor consultation have also developed the rate of limitation in telehealth services. People not being able to see a doctor in person has developed barriers to feeling connected and many of them preferred face-to-face appointments. For example, “I felt disconnected, especially speaking to different people each time.”
Thematic Analysis
It has been understood that the application of telehealth would need adequate knowledge of technology and an appropriate connection with the technology. The majority of the respondent opined that the network connectivity needed to be improved to enhance the service delivery and the sound communication. For example, “Poor network connections -poor sound quality. Unable to clarify concerns.” The poor connection has resulted in the poor approach to the mental well-being of the mother (patients) as they need to be established rapport with the care providers. The overall experience of telehealth services is based on the internet and phone connection thus, people with the lack and limitations of certain technologies have developed the key limitation in seeking adequate services from telehealth services (Krishna et al., 2017). Some of them also reflected that there is a lack of privacy considering the elements of video and also, and there is no follow-up in the telehealth services. For example, “There is a lack of privacy with video.” It has been found that the consultation through telehealth is often being in a rush with a limited timeframe and it becomes difficult to remember questions and queries on spot during the call.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Overall, this placement runs the opportunity to develop many of the capabilities expected of a public health practitioner and supports students to make the most of their leadership skills, which only become more irreplaceable as health risks and public health responses progress. In the future, it is recommended that: the placement tutor better explains project objectives, restrictions, and envisioned outcomes. To achieve this there should be richer and more regular communication between teacher and student to develop action plans and monitor student progress
Due to the revolution brought by technology and the covid-19 pandemic, most of the services offered most preferable have been digitized. Therefore, organizations more specifically health care institutions should adopt an integrated information technology system. Further studies should be carried out to establish the most effective and efficient model that will enhance telehealth services. There should be effective feedback to enhance the student’s ability to identify the gaps and there should be a greater emphasis on the connection between the present and the previous knowledge and practices.
Conclusion and Recommendations This report has outlined the accountabilities of the MSPH placement, applied theoretical principles to placement projects, and delineated the capacity of this position to enable continuous learning. Overall, this placement provides the opportunity to develop many of the competencies expected of a public health practitioner and supports students to maximize their leadership skills, which only become more invaluable as health risks and public health responses evolve. However, there are several ways this placement could be developed to better benefit future students. In the future, it is recommended that: Ø the placement mentor better explains project objectives, parameters, and intended outcomes. This is very important to ensure that the student is clear on their role and has an accurate understanding of what they are expected to achieve. Ø clearer and more frequent communication between mentor and student to develop action plans and monitor student progress. Ø there is a greater focus on practical workplace skills; regular hours within the MSPH office or the Nossal could assist the student with work readiness by helping them to develop a greater understanding of workplace etiquette, OH&S requirements, working relationships, and so forth. In terms of better enabling future students on this placement to become continuous learners, it is recommended that: Ø sufficient student feedback is given to assist with the identification of mistakes; this constructive criticism is important in helping the student realize further learning opportunities. Ø there is a greater emphasis on enabling students to apply knowledge from coursework and previous learning. This could be done by expanding the activities the student is involved in, for example by allowing them to participate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of training courses as opposed to merely attending them.Barbosa, I. D. A., & Silva, M. J. P. D. (2017). Nursing care by telehealth: what is the influence of distance on communication?. Revista brasileira de enfermagem, 70, 928-934.
References
Butler Tobah, Y. S., LeBlanc, A., Branda, M. E., Inselman, J. W., Morris, M. A., Ridgeway, J. L., Finnie, D. M., Theiler, R., Torbenson, V. E., Brodrick, E. M., Meylor de Mooij, M., Gostout, B., & Famuyide, A. (2019). Randomized comparison of a reduced-visit prenatal care model enhanced with remote monitoring. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 221(6), 638.e1–638.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2019.06.034
Krishna, V. N., Managadi, K., Smith, M., & Wallace, E. (2017). Telehealth is the delivery of home dialysis care: catching up with technology. Advances in chronic kidney disease, 24(1), 12-16. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ackd.2016.11.014
Powell, R. E., Henstenburg, J. M., Cooper, G., Hollander, J. E., & Rising, K. L. (2017). Patient perceptions of telehealth primary care video visits. The Annals of Family Medicine, 15(3), 225-229. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2095
Shigekawa, E., Fix, M., Corbett, G., Roby, D. H., & Coffman, J. (2018). The current state of telehealth evidence: a rapid review. Health Affairs, 37(12), 1975-1982. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05132
von Storch, K., Graaf, E., Wunderlich, M., Rietz, C., Polidori, M. C., & Woopen, C. (2019). Telemedicine-Assisted Self-Management Program for Type 2 Diabetes Patients. Diabetes technology & therapeutics, 21(9), 514–521. https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2019.0056