The study aims to describe how nurses estimate the use of a telepresence systems in outpatient care.

What is it about?

Background: Robotic assistance devices are reviewed as being promising technological developments in healthcare to assist elderly patients and to foster autonomy in their home environment as long as possible. Also, telepresence systems (tps) currently in use to facilitate several nursing tasks are reviewed under the same perspective. Aim: The study aims to describe how nurses estimate the use of a tps in outpatient care. Method: After a presentation of a tps, focus groups of nurses (n = 4) in Saxony-Anhalt discussed freely on possible applications, concerns and potential of the system in outpatient care. The analysis followed the documentary method developed by Bohnsack, Nentwig-Gesemann & Nohl (2007). Results: The tps presented was considered rather unsuitable for practical application in outpatient care. As main reasons nurses voiced theirs and patients' lack of technical competence; limited mobility functions of the device; ethical and financial concerns. The opportunity to intensify contact between patients and relatives was considered very positive. Faster contact in case of emergency as well as nurse supervised intake of medication were considered as important further practical applications of the device. Conclusions: Tps are not suitable yet for practical implementation in outpatient care. Acquiring appropriate technical knowledge during nursing education programs can help nurses to participate in the engineering development process this way increasing the potential of such devices and more in general can help nurses to handle more easily further technical innovations in healthcare.

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