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“Get Used to the Fact That Some of the Care Is Really Going to Take Place in a Different Way”: General Practitioners’ Experiences with E-Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Maaike Meurs

    (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jelle Keuper

    (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands
    Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, 5037 DB Tilburg, The Netherlands
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Valerie Sankatsing

    (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Ronald Batenburg

    (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands
    Department of Sociology, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

  • Lilian van Tuyl

    (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The first outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the introduction of the more extensive use of e-health in Dutch general practices. The objective of this study was to investigate the experiences of general practitioners (GPs) regarding this change. In addition, the necessary conditions for e-health technology to be of added value to general practices were explored. In April 2020, 30 GPs were recruited for in-depth interviews via a web survey which contained questions regarding the use of e-health during the first wave of the pandemic. While most GPs intend to keep using e-health applications more extensively than before the pandemic, the actual use of e-health depends on several factors, including the characteristics of the application’s users. The following conditions for successful and sustainable implementation of e-health were identified: (1) integration of e-health technology in the organization of GP care, (2) sufficient user-friendliness of applications as well as digital skills of professionals and patients, and (3) adequate technological and financial support of e-health services. GPs clearly recognize the benefits of using e-health, and most GPs intend to keep using e-health applications more extensively than before the pandemic. However, improvements are needed to allow widespread and sustainable adoption of e-health technology in general practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Maaike Meurs & Jelle Keuper & Valerie Sankatsing & Ronald Batenburg & Lilian van Tuyl, 2022. "“Get Used to the Fact That Some of the Care Is Really Going to Take Place in a Different Way”: General Practitioners’ Experiences with E-Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5120-:d:800124
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jelle Keuper & Ronald Batenburg & Robert Verheij & Lilian van Tuyl, 2021. "Use of E-Health in Dutch General Practice during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-11, November.
    2. Diana Jiménez-Rodríguez & Azucena Santillán García & Jesús Montoro Robles & María del Mar Rodríguez Salvador & Francisco José Muñoz Ronda & Oscar Arrogante, 2020. "Increase in Video Consultations During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions about Their Implementation and Adequate Management," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-14, July.
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