A needs assessment of the potential users of a South Pacific telehealth service.
Qualitative methods such as focus groups, individual interviews, case studies and participant observation were used to complete a needs assessment for a telehealth service in the South Pacific. Participants from the Cook Islands and Fiji were able to identify extensive uses for a telehealth service, but also identified barriers to its implementation. These included the extremely limited telecommunications and electrical infrastructure found in South Pacific countries, the high cost of Internet access and staffing shortages. The effective implementation of a telehealth site will probably require the use of clinician drivers with an interest in telehealth to encourage colleagues less enthusiastic to change their work practices. Telehealth in the South Pacific would improve services across a wide geographical area, but initial and continuing costs would be high due to the lack of infrastructure.
Kerr
Karolyn
K
Department of Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, New Zealand. karolynkerr@hotmail.com
Dew
Kevin
K
Abernethy
David
D
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010139:Pacific Islands; D019114:Remote Consultation; D013685:Telecommunications; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*