The role of telemedicine in enhancing palliative care for older adults: opportunities and challenges
Abstract Background and objective Telemedicine holds promise for older adults with chronic and complex conditions, particularly those in need of palliative care. However, more information is needed about the perceptions of patients and their caregivers regarding this technology for providing care. T...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06041-1 |
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| author | Roni Chaim Mukamal Laiane Moraes Dias Thiago Dias Sarti Rui Nunes Guilhermina Rego |
| author_facet | Roni Chaim Mukamal Laiane Moraes Dias Thiago Dias Sarti Rui Nunes Guilhermina Rego |
| author_sort | Roni Chaim Mukamal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background and objective Telemedicine holds promise for older adults with chronic and complex conditions, particularly those in need of palliative care. However, more information is needed about the perceptions of patients and their caregivers regarding this technology for providing care. Therefore, this study aims to explore the experience of non-oncologic older adult patients in palliative care with telemedicine. Methods We followed Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage scoping review approach and conducted searches in Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Key concepts included: "telemedicine" or "telehealth"; "elderly" or "old age" or "geriatric"; "palliative care" and NO "cancer" and were included articles written in English or Portuguese from the last five years. Results Eighteen articles were included out of 137 abstracts selected. Most studies focused on elderly individuals in homebound settings, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities. The experiences reported in many articles were positive, with patients and caregivers expressing a willingness to use telemedicine. It was particularly convenient for patients in rural areas. However, several barriers were identified, such as difficulties in using and accessing technology and concerns about privacy, influencing the willingness to use telemedicine. Conclusions Telemedicine can be beneficial in the care of older adults with non-oncologic chronic disease, multimorbidity, and life-threatening conditions. Nevertheless, understanding this barrier and searching for solutions from the patients' perspectives is essential for integrating telemedicine into their care. More studies involving older adults palliative care patients are needed to explore this area further. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dd8f5c180d4448d7b1712386975ce63d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-dd8f5c180d4448d7b1712386975ce63d2025-08-20T04:01:35ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-07-0125111510.1186/s12877-025-06041-1The role of telemedicine in enhancing palliative care for older adults: opportunities and challengesRoni Chaim Mukamal0Laiane Moraes Dias1Thiago Dias Sarti2Rui Nunes3Guilhermina Rego4Faculty of Medicine/Federal Council of Medicine, University of PortoJoão de Barros, Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of ParaFaculty of Medicine, Federal University of Espírito SantoFaculty of Medicine/Federal Council of Medicine, University of PortoFaculty of Medicine/Federal Council of Medicine, University of PortoAbstract Background and objective Telemedicine holds promise for older adults with chronic and complex conditions, particularly those in need of palliative care. However, more information is needed about the perceptions of patients and their caregivers regarding this technology for providing care. Therefore, this study aims to explore the experience of non-oncologic older adult patients in palliative care with telemedicine. Methods We followed Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage scoping review approach and conducted searches in Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Key concepts included: "telemedicine" or "telehealth"; "elderly" or "old age" or "geriatric"; "palliative care" and NO "cancer" and were included articles written in English or Portuguese from the last five years. Results Eighteen articles were included out of 137 abstracts selected. Most studies focused on elderly individuals in homebound settings, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities. The experiences reported in many articles were positive, with patients and caregivers expressing a willingness to use telemedicine. It was particularly convenient for patients in rural areas. However, several barriers were identified, such as difficulties in using and accessing technology and concerns about privacy, influencing the willingness to use telemedicine. Conclusions Telemedicine can be beneficial in the care of older adults with non-oncologic chronic disease, multimorbidity, and life-threatening conditions. Nevertheless, understanding this barrier and searching for solutions from the patients' perspectives is essential for integrating telemedicine into their care. More studies involving older adults palliative care patients are needed to explore this area further.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06041-1TelemedicineElderlyPalliative careChronic diseases |
| spellingShingle | Roni Chaim Mukamal Laiane Moraes Dias Thiago Dias Sarti Rui Nunes Guilhermina Rego The role of telemedicine in enhancing palliative care for older adults: opportunities and challenges BMC Geriatrics Telemedicine Elderly Palliative care Chronic diseases |
| title | The role of telemedicine in enhancing palliative care for older adults: opportunities and challenges |
| title_full | The role of telemedicine in enhancing palliative care for older adults: opportunities and challenges |
| title_fullStr | The role of telemedicine in enhancing palliative care for older adults: opportunities and challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of telemedicine in enhancing palliative care for older adults: opportunities and challenges |
| title_short | The role of telemedicine in enhancing palliative care for older adults: opportunities and challenges |
| title_sort | role of telemedicine in enhancing palliative care for older adults opportunities and challenges |
| topic | Telemedicine Elderly Palliative care Chronic diseases |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06041-1 |
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