Telehealth in German nursing homes

: incentives, challenges and requirements for providers to adopt telehealth solutions

Abstract

The German healthcare system is facing significant challenges including demographic changes and medical staff shortages. Telehealth holds the potential to address these issues, enabling access to high-quality healthcare. This study investigates the current status of telehealth solutions in German nursing homes, contrasting incentives for adoption with potential barriers, and evaluating the requirements of various stakeholder groups for the future success of such solutions. The methodology included the use of semi-structured interviews with nursing home environment representatives. The results indicate that while nursing homes recognize the benefits of telehealth, including improved quality of care and reduced hospital transfers, barriers like non-reimbursable costs, lack of IT infrastructure, and regulatory uncertainty persist. Attractive solutions require simple implementation, transparent reimbursement schemes, and seamless interoperability with other healthcare information systems. To drive adoption, policymakers must provide financial incentives and update regulations, while technology providers should engage closely with nursing homes to develop tailored solutions. Policymakers, technology providers, and nursing homes must work together in a multilateral approach to develop practical solutions that address the specific challenges and workflows of German nursing homes. This study contributes to a nuanced understanding of stakeholder perspectives on telehealth in German nursing homes and recommends policy reforms and cooperative development of practical solutions to realize the potential benefits of telehealth.

Date of Award	25 Oct 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Henrique Martins (Supervisor)