ArticleBMC health services research2024
"Let's put it this way: you can't really live without it" - digital technologies in routine palliative care delivery: an explorative qualitative study with patients and their family caregivers in Germany.
Article in BMC health services research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed.
- Exploring routine palliative care delivery to inform tailored digitalization approaches - a qualitative interview study.BMC palliative care · 2026Article
- Application of Digital Technology in Palliative Care in Japan.Journal of hospice and palliative care · 2026Review
- Digital health in palliative care: use is largely limited to conventional technologies - a cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals.BMC health services research · 2026Article
- CARE-HOUSE: developing a framework for conceptualizing social implications of digital health technologies in palliative care.BMC palliative care · 2026Article
- Ethical considerations of AI integration in palliative care: a qualitative study.BMC palliative care · 2026Article
- The Role of Telemedicine Centers and Digital Health Applications in Home Care: Challenges and Opportunities for Family Caregivers.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Hospital-to-hospice transfers in Germany: analyzing the impact of age and gender at the care transition interface.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Article
- Association of internet-integrated palliative care pathway assignment with recorded quality-of-life and symptom-burden scores in patients with terminal cancer: a single-center retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Article
- A Mobile Application for Enhancing Caregiver Support and Resource Management for Long-Term Dependent Individuals in Rural Areas.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundDespite ongoing efforts to integrate palliative care into the German healthcare system, challenges persist, particularly in areas where infrastructure does not fully support digital technologies (DT). The increasing importance of digital technology (DT) in palliative care delivery presents both opportunities and challenges.
objectiveThis study aimed to explore the perspectives and preferences of palliative care patients and their family caregivers regarding the use of DT in care delivery.
methodsAn exploratory qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with palliative care patients and their family caregivers across various settings. Participants were selected through gatekeeper-supported purposive sampling. Interviews were analysed using structured qualitative content analysis.
resultsNineteen interviews were conducted.Three themes emerged: (1) Application of DTs in palliative care; (2) Potential of DTs; (3) Barriers to the use of DTs. Key findings highlighted the preference for real-time communication using DTs that participants are familiar with. Participants reported limited perceived value for digital transformation in the presence of in-person care. The study identified requirements for DT development and use in palliative care, including the need for direct and immediate functionality, efficiency in healthcare professional (HCP) work, and continuous access to services.
conclusionThe findings highlight a demonstrate the importance of familiarity with DTs and real-time access for patients and their families. While DT can enhance palliative care efficiency and accessibility, its integration must complement, not replace, in-person interaction in palliative care. As DTs continue to grow in scope and use in palliative care, maintaining continued user engagement is essential to optimise their adoption and ensure they benefit patients and their caregivers.
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