A needs assessment study for the Missouri Tele-hospice Project

AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2003:2003:959.

Abstract

Hospice care focuses on palliation and the relief of suffering aiming to improve the quality of patients' last days. Telemedicine is considered to be a tool that can address challenges such as staff shortage, funding limitations and limited access to services in rural areas. Hospice services via telemedicine can be delivered directly into a patient's home by utilizing videoconferencing technology. The Missouri Telehospice Project aims to investigate the impact of a telehospice model on satisfaction with delivered care, caregiver burden, crisis prevention rates and overall cost of delivered care. Five urban and rural hospice agencies in Missouri are participating. A needs assessment study was conducted where hospice staff members responded to a set of questions within focus group and interview sessions providing feedback about the design, type of technology, frequency of usage and perceived impact on quality of hospice care.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Caregivers
  • Hospices*
  • Humans
  • Missouri
  • Needs Assessment*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Telemedicine*