Scholarlink

Background <p>Digital health technologies (DHTs) can help address challenges in palliative care, particularly in rural and underserved areas. However, evidence on their routine use and acceptance among healthcare professionals (HCPs) remains limited.</p> Aim <p>To assess HCPs reported use of DHTs, digital health literacy, attitudes, and perceived benefits and barriers regarding DHT implementation in routine palliative care.</p> Design <p>Cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire informed by prior qualitative research. Data were collected online and on paper (Sept–Nov 2023).</p> Setting/participants <p>152 HCPs in palliative care across Brandenburg, Germany: 68 physicians, 36 nurses, and 48 others (e.g. psycho-oncologists, social workers).</p> Results <p>Physicians showed the highest digital health literacy (mean eHEALS: 33/40). Nurses expressed the highest general agreement with DHTs, though acceptance in palliative care was lower—especially among physicians. Email (72–78%) and documentation tools (60–67%) were widely used. Innovative tools such as video consultations (6%), mobile apps (10–22%), and wearables (10–22%) were used infrequently. Perceived benefits included location flexibility (up to 81%) and time independence (up to 78%). Barriers included inadequate infrastructure (up to 78%) and limited digital skills among patients and families (up to 80%). DHT use was more frequent in inpatient settings (ρ = 0.183, <i>p</i> = 0.014), urban areas (<i>p</i> = 0.04), and among physicians and nurses (<i>p</i> = 0.049). Non-users had a higher median age than users (<i>p</i> = 0.023). Those using conventional tools were more likely to adopt innovative ones (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001).</p> Conclusions <p>DHT use in palliative care remains centered on conventional tools. While professionals recognize potential benefits, structural deficits and limited perceived relevance hinder adoption. Strengthening infrastructure and digital literacy is key to sustainable digital transformation.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Digital health in palliative care: use is largely limited to conventional technologies – a cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月23日

查看全文
  • Felix Muehlensiepen,
  • Robert Darkow,
  • Larissa Fink,
  • Yuriy Ignatyev,
  • Anne Gehlhaar,
  • Anke Lauke,
  • Marcel-Alexander Kamp,
  • Martin Heinze,
  • Matthew Allsop,
  • Susann May

摘要

Background

Digital health technologies (DHTs) can help address challenges in palliative care, particularly in rural and underserved areas. However, evidence on their routine use and acceptance among healthcare professionals (HCPs) remains limited.

Aim

To assess HCPs reported use of DHTs, digital health literacy, attitudes, and perceived benefits and barriers regarding DHT implementation in routine palliative care.

Design

Cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire informed by prior qualitative research. Data were collected online and on paper (Sept–Nov 2023).

Setting/participants

152 HCPs in palliative care across Brandenburg, Germany: 68 physicians, 36 nurses, and 48 others (e.g. psycho-oncologists, social workers).

Results

Physicians showed the highest digital health literacy (mean eHEALS: 33/40). Nurses expressed the highest general agreement with DHTs, though acceptance in palliative care was lower—especially among physicians. Email (72–78%) and documentation tools (60–67%) were widely used. Innovative tools such as video consultations (6%), mobile apps (10–22%), and wearables (10–22%) were used infrequently. Perceived benefits included location flexibility (up to 81%) and time independence (up to 78%). Barriers included inadequate infrastructure (up to 78%) and limited digital skills among patients and families (up to 80%). DHT use was more frequent in inpatient settings (ρ = 0.183, p = 0.014), urban areas (p = 0.04), and among physicians and nurses (p = 0.049). Non-users had a higher median age than users (p = 0.023). Those using conventional tools were more likely to adopt innovative ones (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

DHT use in palliative care remains centered on conventional tools. While professionals recognize potential benefits, structural deficits and limited perceived relevance hinder adoption. Strengthening infrastructure and digital literacy is key to sustainable digital transformation.