TITLE:
Narratives of Clinicians on Telemedicine and Delivery of Quality Healthcare in Ghana
AUTHORS:
Lily Yarney, Nana Abban Mintah, Emmanuel Kofi Ayisi, Francis Anderson Adzei
KEYWORDS:
Clinician, Ghana, Quality Healthcare, Telemedicine
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.11 No.8,
August
17,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Telemedicine as a mode of healthcare delivery has improved the quality
and coverage of healthcare in many countries. As the health delivery system of
Ghana continues to struggle, the adoption of telemedicine can be a possible
means of improving healthcare coverage and quality to the Ghanaian populace. Purpose:
This study explored the perspectives of clinicians on the utilization of telemedicine
as a viable mode of delivering quality healthcare in Ghana, assessed the
perception of clinicians on the adoption and utilization of telemedicine for
quality care delivery, the influence of telemedicine on the Institute of
Medicine’s (IOM) six dimensions of quality healthcare, and factors that
influence the use of telemedicine in Ghana. Methods: A qualitative study
involving eighteen medical doctors was conducted through purposive sampling of
participants and in-depth interviews with a semi-structured interview guide via
the Zoom App. Phenomenological data analysis procedures were employed, and
NVivo 10 software was used to generate themes. Results: The findings
indicated that telemedicine is a viable mode of improving healthcare coverage
and quality in Ghana. Clinician competencies such as basic Information
Technology skills, excellent clinical judgement, and good communication skills
are essential to the delivery of healthcare
via telemedicine. Most clinicians believed that the adoption of telemedicine
will ensure the promotion of timeliness, efficiency, and patient-centeredness.
However, some feared that telemedicine may be detrimental to ensuring safety,
and effectiveness in the healthcare delivery process. Whilst equity of care was
seen as an important quality dimension which telemedicine may promote, lack of
logistics and resources in under-served areas may act as barriers against
realizing equity as a quality parameter. Conclusion: Development of
telemedicine systems is essential to the realisation of the much-craved
universal quality healthcare delivery in Ghana. Clinician training, and patient
awareness of telemedicine systems are essential facilitators, additionally,
establishment of protocols to regulate and standardize telemedicine for optimal
care is necessary. Ensuring accessibility to logistics and resources in
under-served areas is equally important to facilitate the adoption of telemedicine and promote
equity of care in Ghana.