Impact of Telehealth Implementation on Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Training Experience

Abstract

Abstract Telehealth can be defined as the provision of health care services over a distance. Major health systems, including outpatient clinics and check-ups alike pivoted to telehealth and teleconsultation amid the COVID19 pandemic. There are many recognized advantages of telehealth and its increasing implementation, however, not much is known about the specific impact of remote consultation on quality of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHD) training experiences. The aim of this study was to gain rich descriptive insights into the specific impact of remote consultation on quality of NCHD training experiences and their own perceptions, through purposeful sampling. Data was collected via semi structured zoom interviews of fifteen NCHD participants. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The collective transcripts were analysed using NVIVO data software for common themes. The themes identified suggested that there were both advantages and disadvantages to telehealth and its impact on training across a spectrum of entities including; doctor-patient relationship, peer relationships, service provision, work morale, working hours, clinical skills experience and general feedback as a trainee. NCHD perspectives expressed were mixed across all themes. Further research is recommended to advance understanding of the potential impact of telehealth on current and prospective doctors in training. With greater understanding of general insights, future changes, including telehealth training programmes, could be implemented to build confidence and familiarity with telehealth utilization and potentiate it’s conceivable benefits.