Banbury Annie, Nancarrow Susan, Dart Jared, Gray Leonard, Parkinson Lynne
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia.
School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia.
J Med Internet Res. 2018 Feb 2;20(2):e25. doi: 10.2196/jmir.8090.
Group therapy and education and support sessions are used within health care across a range of disciplines such as chronic disease self-management and psychotherapy interventions. However, there are barriers that constrain group attendance, such as mobility, time, and distance. Using videoconferencing may overcome known barriers and improve the accessibility of group-based interventions.
The aim of this study was to review the literature to determine the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and implementation of health professional-led group videoconferencing to provide education or social support or both, into the home setting.
Electronic databases were searched using predefined search terms for primary interventions for patient education and/or social support. The quality of studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. We developed an analysis framework using hierarchical terms feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and implementation, which were informed by subheadings.
Of the 1634 records identified, 17 were included in this review. Home-based groups by videoconferencing are feasible even for those with limited digital literacy. Overall acceptability was high with access from the home highly valued and little concern of privacy issues. Some participants reported preferring face-to-face groups. Good information technology (IT) support and training is required for facilitators and participants. Communication can be adapted for the Web environment and would be enhanced by clear communication strategies and protocols. A range of improved outcomes were reported but because of the heterogeneity of studies, comparison of these across studies was not possible. There was a trend for improvement in mental health outcomes. Benefits highlighted in the qualitative data included engaging with others with similar problems; improved accessibility to groups; and development of health knowledge, insights, and skills. Videoconference groups were able to replicate group processes such as bonding and cohesiveness. Similar outcomes were reported for those comparing face-to-face groups and videoconference groups.
Groups delivered by videoconference are feasible and potentially can improve the accessibility of group interventions. This may be particularly useful for those who live in rural areas, have limited mobility, are socially isolated, or fear meeting new people. Outcomes are similar to in-person groups, but future research on facilitation process in videoconferencing-mediated groups and large-scale studies are required to develop the evidence base.
团体治疗、教育及支持课程在医疗保健领域的多个学科中都有应用，如慢性病自我管理和心理治疗干预。然而，存在一些限制团体参与度的障碍，如行动能力、时间和距离等。使用视频会议可能会克服这些已知障碍，并提高基于团体的干预措施的可及性。
本研究的目的是回顾文献，以确定由健康专业人员主导的团体视频会议在家庭环境中提供教育或社会支持或两者兼具的可行性、可接受性、有效性及实施情况。
使用预定义的搜索词在电子数据库中搜索针对患者教育和/或社会支持的主要干预措施。使用混合方法评估工具评估研究质量。我们使用分层术语可行性、可接受性、有效性和实施情况开发了一个分析框架，这些术语由小标题提供信息。
在识别出的1634条记录中，有17条被纳入本综述。通过视频会议开展的居家团体活动即使对数字素养有限的人来说也是可行的。总体可接受性较高，在家中参与受到高度重视，对隐私问题几乎没有担忧。一些参与者表示更喜欢面对面的团体活动。 facilitators和参与者都需要良好的信息技术（IT）支持和培训。沟通可以适应网络环境，清晰的沟通策略和协议会增强沟通效果。报告了一系列改善的结果，但由于研究的异质性，无法在不同研究之间进行比较。心理健康结果有改善的趋势。定性数据中突出的益处包括与有类似问题的人互动；团体活动的可及性提高；以及健康知识、见解和技能的发展。视频会议团体能够复制诸如联系和凝聚力等团体过程。比较面对面团体和视频会议团体的人也报告了类似的结果。
通过视频会议开展的团体活动是可行的，并且有可能提高团体干预措施的可及性。这对于那些生活在农村地区、行动能力有限、社交孤立或害怕结识新朋友的人可能特别有用。结果与面对面团体相似，但未来需要对视频会议介导的团体中的促进过程进行研究以及开展大规模研究来建立证据基础。
