Center for Health Services Research, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Rüdersdorf, Germany.
FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft mbH, Graz, Austria.
Inquiry. 2024 Jan-Dec;61:469580241247021. doi: 10.1177/00469580241247021.
Workforce shortage and the increasing burden of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases lead to extreme time constraints in rheumatology outpatient care. Digital services promise to facilitate care by relieving employees and unleash new capacities. This study aims to explore the perspectives of early adopter health care professionals (HCP) on digital transformation in outpatient rheumatology. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with rheumatology nurses and physicians in 3 German rheumatology outpatient clinics, each characterized by an advanced level of digital adaption. Qualitative data were subsequently analyzed using deductive-inductive qualitative content analysis. Interviews with 11 rheumatology nurses and 5 rheumatologists were completed. Three key themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: (i) Digital transformation of care; (ii) impact of digital transformation on health care delivery; and (iii) perceived drivers of successful digitalization. The interviews revealed that digital technologies are widely used throughout the complete patient pathway. Digitalization enables more continuity and flexibility in rheumatology care. Patient information can be electronically obtained in a standardized manner prior to planned visits, enabling an informed consultation and more time for in-depth patient discussion. Although digitalization restructures work, it can also increase the current workload. Improved accessibility for patient calls leads to more work for HCP. Important drivers of successful digital technology implementation are low-threshold and interoperable services, a medical team that is interested and educated in eHealth, and comprehensive patient information and onboarding. Digital transformation is increasingly redefining rheumatology care. While accelerating communication and workflows, improved service accessibility leads to more work for HCP.
劳动力短缺和风湿性和肌肉骨骼疾病负担的增加导致风湿病门诊护理的时间非常紧张。数字服务有望通过减轻员工的负担和释放新的能力来促进护理。本研究旨在探讨早期采用者医疗保健专业人员（HCP）对门诊风湿病学数字化转型的看法。在德国 3 家风湿病门诊诊所中，对风湿病护士和医生进行了深入的定性访谈，每家诊所的数字化适应程度都很高。随后使用演绎归纳定性内容分析对定性数据进行了分析。完成了对 11 名风湿病护士和 5 名风湿病医生的访谈。定性分析产生了三个关键主题：（i）护理的数字化转型；（ii）数字化转型对医疗服务提供的影响；和（iii）成功数字化的感知驱动因素。访谈显示，数字技术在整个患者治疗过程中得到了广泛应用。数字化使风湿病护理更具连续性和灵活性。可以以标准化的方式在计划访问之前获取患者的电子信息，从而实现知情咨询和更深入的患者讨论。尽管数字化重构了工作，但它也可能增加当前的工作量。患者来电的可及性提高会增加 HCP 的工作量。成功实施数字技术的重要驱动因素是低门槛和互操作的服务、对电子健康感兴趣和受过教育的医疗团队，以及全面的患者信息和入职。数字化转型正在日益重新定义风湿病护理。虽然加快了沟通和工作流程，但改善服务的可及性会增加 HCP 的工作量。
