title: Use of ISDN video-phones for clients receiving palliative and antenatal home care.
abstract: We examined the use of ISDN video-phones by health professionals and two types of home care clients: those receiving palliative care and those receiving antenatal care. In the palliative care group, there were four female clients and 15 health professionals; these clients on average had the video-phones at home for six weeks and made 12.5 calls per week. The antenatal care group consisted of six female clients and eight female registered nurses; these clients on average also had the video-phones at home for six weeks and made 12.5 calls per week. Exit interviews were conducted with three clients and eight staff in the palliative care group, and with six clients and three staff in the antenatal care group. Palliative care clients and their families commented that the visual feature of the phone enhanced the care that they received. In the antenatal group, the video-phone was used mainly for booking appointments and arranging home visits. In general, the technology was well received by clients and care providers.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. masako.miyazaki@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Masako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tell
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013689:Telephone