Assessing Telehealth in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness and Challenges in Rural and Underserved Areas.

ABSTRACT

The integration of telehealth into palliative care has garnered significant attention due to its potential to enhance both access and quality of care, particularly for patients in rural and underserved areas. This interest stems from the need to address geographical and logistical barriers that traditionally hinder palliative care delivery. Despite its potential benefits, the effectiveness of telehealth and the challenges associated with its implementation remain underexplored, necessitating further investigation. This study aims to critically evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth in palliative care by focusing on several key areas its impact on access to care, symptom management, patient satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. To achieve this, a systematic review was conducted, synthesizing data from various studies that investigated telehealth interventions within palliative care settings. The review employed a comprehensive search strategy across electronic databases, concentrating on randomized controlled trials (RTCs) published between 2014 and 2024. To ensure the reliability of the findings, low-quality and unrelated studies were excluded, and the remaining studies were meticulously analyzed for bias and methodological quality. The review's findings indicate that telehealth significantly enhances access to palliative care, allowing patients to receive timely and appropriate care without the need for extensive travel. It also improves symptom management and patient satisfaction, aligning to provide patient-centered care. Additionally, telehealth is cost-effective by reducing expenses associated with travel and in-person visits. These benefits highlight telehealth's potential to address some of the critical challenges in palliative care delivery. Despite its advantages, implementing telehealth in palliative care is not without challenges. Technological barriers, such as inadequate infrastructure and device limitations, pose significant hurdles. Integration issues, including the need for seamless incorporation into existing care systems, and varying levels of digital literacy among patients and caregivers, also impact the effectiveness of telehealth. Addressing these challenges is crucial for optimizing telehealth's implementation. Ensuring that telehealth solutions are accessible, user-friendly, and well-integrated into care practices is essential for fully leveraging its potential benefits.