Telemedicine in Greenland:Citizens' Perspectives

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine may have the possibility to provide better access to healthcare delivery for the citizens. Telemedicine in arctic remote areas must be tailored according to the needs of the local population. Therefore, we need more knowledge about their needs and their view of telemedicine....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Telemedicine and e-Health
Main Authors: Nielsen, Lasse O, Krebs, Hans J, Albert, Nancy M, Anderson, Nick, Catz, Sheryl, Hale, Timothy M, Hansen, John, Hounsgaard, Lise, Kim, Tae Youn, Lindeman, David, Spindler, Helle, Marcin, James P, Nesbitt, Thomas, Young, Heather M, Dinesen, Birthe
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2017
Subjects:
E-Health
Telehealth
Telemedicine
Telenursing
Humans
Middle Aged
Male
Telemedicine/statistics & numerical data
Consumer Behavior/statistics & numerical data
Attitude to Computers
Aged
80 and over
Adult
Female
Greenland
Patients/psychology
Arctic
greenlandic
Online Access:https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/publications/293abe4a-d530-4154-b4d3-4c3e000b2683
https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2016.0134
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Summary:BACKGROUND: Telemedicine may have the possibility to provide better access to healthcare delivery for the citizens. Telemedicine in arctic remote areas must be tailored according to the needs of the local population. Therefore, we need more knowledge about their needs and their view of telemedicine. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study has been to explore how citizens living in the Greenlandic settlements experience the possibilities and challenges of telemedicine when receiving healthcare delivery in everyday life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case study design was chosen as the overall research design. Qualitative interviews (n = 14) were performed and participant observations (n = 80 h) carried out in the local healthcare center in the settlements and towns. A logbook was kept and updated each day during the field research in Greenland. Observations were made of activities in the settlements. FINDINGS: Data collected on citizens' views about the possibilities of using telemedicine in Greenland revealed the following findings: Greenlandic citizens are positive toward telemedicine, and telemedicine can help facilitate improved access to healthcare for residents in these Greenlandic settlements. Regarding challenges in using telemedicine in Greenland, the geographical and cultural context hinders accessibility to the Greenlandic healthcare system, and telemedicine equipment is not sufficiently mobile. CONCLUSION: Greenlandic citizens are positive toward telemedicine and regard telemedicine as a facilitator for improved access for healthcare in the Greenlandic settlements. We have identified challenges, such as geographical and cultural context, that hinder accessibility to the Greenlandic healthcare system.

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