Use of tele-nursing in primary care: A qualitative study on its negative and positive aspects.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the opinions of nursing professionals on the current limitations and future potential of digital tools in healthcare. DESIGN: Qualitative and descriptive study. LOCATION The study took place during an asynchronous MOODLE course on the use of ICT in healthcare, specifically aimed at nursing professionals. PARTICIPANTS: The number of nurses enrolled in the course was 150. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted focusing on the positive and negative aspects that telenursing can offer in the context of a Moodle training in new technologies for nurses. A thematic analysis was carried out following the method proposed by Braun and Clarke. RESULTS: In the end 68 nurses participated in the forum. Their statements, opinions and perceptions were analyzed and 28 descriptive codes were obtained and subsequently categorized into positive and negative aspects. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses positively value the usefulness of digital tools and identify a wide range of benefits of telenursing in daily practice. At the same time, they point out crucial limitations that may slow down the adoption of telenursing, pointing to areas for improvement such as training and digital literacy of both patients and professionals. They consider that telenursing can humanise care, but insist on the need to prevent its use from increasing health inequalities.