Authors:
Julia Offermann-van Heek
1
;
Anne Kathrin Schaar
1
;
Jörg Christian Brokmann
2
and
Martina Ziefle
1
Affiliations:
1
Human-Computer Interaction Center, RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard 57, 52074 Aachen, Germany
;
2
Emergency Department, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Keyword(s):
Telemedicine, Telemedical Consultations, Acceptance, Nursing Homes, Geriatric Patients.
Abstract:
Rising numbers of older people and people in need of care pose tremendous challenges for care institutions. Due to a lack of medical personnel, residents of nursing homes (geriatric patients) are frequently hospitalized although it is not medically necessary and causes a deterioration of health in many cases. Telemedical consultations in nursing homes represent one approach to relief and support care personnel in emergency and medically uncertain situations aiming at a reduction of unnecessary hospitalizations of geriatric patients. For a successful implementation of these consultations and related innovative processes, the patients’ and as well as other stakeholders’ (caregivers, doctors, relatives) perspectives and acceptance are important. Thus, a systematic investigation and adjustment of the requirements is of immense importance. This paper introduces the Optimal@NRW approach for a cross-sectoral care structure that aims at an avoidance of unnecessary hospital admissions by impl
ementing telemedical infrastructure in nursing homes. A first scenario-based acceptance evaluation of telemedical consultations provides insights into the people’s attitudes and allows to outline an acceptance research agenda as well as next steps within the project.
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