title: Healthcare providers' perceptions of barriers in implementing of home telecare in Taiwan: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Telecare has not only brought down medical expenses, but has also become an important tool to address healthcare needs. In recent years, the Taiwanese government has been concerned about this healthcare issue. However, only a few hospitals provide telecare. This study aims at investigating the barriers that healthcare providers face while implementing home telecare in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative research design was employed in this study, with semi-structured in-depth interviews. The sample was obtained from five hospitals, including three medical centers and two regional hospitals. A total of 31 healthcare providers were interviewed, including case managers (n=11), administrators (n=7), physicians (n=7), and nurses (n=6).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results were summarized into five themes, including: (1) unsuitable laws and vague policies, (2) the policy implementation fails to meet public needs, (3) lack of organizational support, (4) lack of quality and convenience of the system, and (5) inadequate public perception and attitudes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obstacles in policy and regulations are the most fundamental difficulties for telecare implementation, therefore the government should provide a clear direction by planning policies, legislate appropriate regulations, and incorporate telecare into the scope of medical insurance, in order to improve the environment and stimulate the telecare service market. In order to improve the success rate of telecare, administrators should be able to identify an appropriate cost-benefit model to build a humane system to satisfy public needs and to provide staff with resources and support.
authors: College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Tainan Sin-Lau Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan. Electronic address: slh98@sinlau.org.tw.
authors: Kuei-Feng
authors: KF
authors: Chiang
authors: College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: hhwang@kmu.edu.tw.
authors: Hsiu-Hung
authors: HH
authors: Wang
authors: Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: ikchien@kmu.edu.tw.
authors: I-Kuang
authors: IK
authors: Chien
authors: Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan. Electronic address: 146080@cch.org.tw.
authors: Jhao-Kun
authors: JK
authors: Liou
authors: MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: jotaro3791@yahoo.com.tw.
authors: Chung-Lieh
authors: CL
authors: Hung
authors: Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: 0890321@kmhk.org.tw.
authors: Chien-Min
authors: CM
authors: Huang
authors: Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: 970559@ms.kmuh.org.tw.
authors: Feng-Yueh
authors: FY
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013624:Taiwan; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Barriers; Healthcare providers; Home care service; Perceptions; Policy; Qualitative research