Journal Article

Stakeholder perceptions affecting the implementation of teleophthalmology

Park, Hannah, Snider, Molly J. E., Pope, Charlene, Hunt, Kelly J., Maa, April Y., Guyton, Arthur C.

2022

Overview

Purpose Teleophthalmology has become the subject of heightened interest and scrutiny in the wake of the SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic. A streamlined implementation framework becomes increasingly important as demand grows. This study identified obstacles to teleophthalmology implementation through summative content analysis of key stakeholders’ perceptions. Design Summative content analysis of transcribed interviews with key stakeholders (including patients, technicians, ophthalmic readers, staff, nurses, and administrators at two teleophthalmology clinic sites). Methods Keyword Were counted and compared to examine underlying meaning. Two analysts coded text independently using MAXQDA for summative qualitative content analysis to derive themes and hierarchical relationships as a basis for future refinement of TECS implementation. xMind ZEN was used to map conceptual relationships and overarching themes that emerged to identify perceived facilitators and barriers to implementation Results Analysis revealed two themes common to perceptions: (1) benefits of care, and (2) ease of implementation. Perceived benefits included efficiency, accessibility, and earlier intervention in disease course. The quality and quantity of training was heavily weighted in its influence on stakeholders’ commitment to and confidence in the program, as were transparent organizational structure, clear bidirectional communication, and the availability of support staff. Conclusion Using a determinant framework of implementation science, this report highlighted potential hindrances to teleophthalmology implementation and offered solutions in order to increase access to screening, improve the quality of care provided, and facilitate sustainability of the innovation.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Beliefs, opinions and attitudes / Clinics / Content analysis / Data analysis / Diabetes / Diabetic retinopathy / Eye diseases / Glaucoma / Health Administration / Health care access / Health Informatics / Health services / Implementation barriers / Implementation science / Innovation sustainability / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Nursing Research / Ophthalmology / Organizational change / Outpatient care facilities / Pandemics / Patients / Perceptions / Practice / Primary care / Public Health / Public opinion / Quality improvement / Research Article / Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 / Software / Stakeholder perceptions / Stakeholders / Technology application / Telehealth / Telemedicine / Teleophthalmology