Exploring the factors affecting home dialysis patients' participation in telehealth-assisted home visits: A mixed-methods study

Background: Technology, such as telehealth, is increasingly used to support home dialysis patients. The challenges patients and carers face when home dialysis nursing visits are provided via telehealth have yet to be explored.

Objectives: To explore patients' and carers' perspectives as they transition to telehealth-assisted home visits and identify the factors influencing their engagement in this modality.

Design: A mixed-methods approach, guideed by the behaviour change wheel using the capability, opportunity, motivation-behaviour model to explore individual's perceptions of telehealth.

Partcipants: Home dialysis patients and their carers.

Measuruements: Suveys and qualitative interviews.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was undertaken, combining surveys and qualitative interviews. It was guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation- Behaviour model to explore individuals' perceptions of telehealth.

Results: Thirty-four surveys and 21 interviews were completed. Of 34 survey participants, 24 (70%) preferred face-to-face home visits and 23 (68%) had previously engaged in telehealth. The main perceived barrier identified in the surveys was knowledge of telehealth, but participants believed there were opportunities for them to use telehealth. Interview results revealed that the convenience and flexibility of telehealth were perceived as the main advantages of telehealth. However, challenges such as the ability to conduct virtual assessments and to communicate effectively between clinicians and patients were identified. Patients from non-English speaking backgrounds and those with disabilities were particularly vulnerable because of the many barriers they faced. These challenges may further entrench the negative view regarding technology, as discussed by interview participants.

Conclusion: This study suggested that a blended model combining telehealth and face-to-face services would allow patient choice and is important to facilitate equity of care, particularly for those patients who were unwilling or had difficulty adopting technology.