Older patients' experiences of access to and use of e-consultations with the general practitioner in Norway: an interview study

Abstract

Objective

To explore older patients’ experiences with accessing and using e-consultations to send text-based clinical inquiries to the general practitioner (GP) online. Design

Qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews. Results were analysed through a six-phase thematic analysis and interpreted through Levesque’s framework of patient-centred access to health care. Setting

General practice in Norway. Subjects

Patients aged over 65 years (n = 16) with experience in using e-consultations. Results

Respondents considered e-consultations as an integrated part of general practice which helped them achieve better access to health care. We identified four themes describing older patients’ access to and use of e-consultations: 1) the importance of digital health literacy to learn about and use the service – and the fear of losing it, 2) the high availability of the service as the main advantage, due to the perceived unavailability of physical GP services, 3) the importance of voluntary use of e-consultations, 4) the importance of a trusting relationship with the GP. Implications

Information about e-consultations and guidelines for suitable use are recommended to ensure equal access to all patients, regardless of their digital health literacy. Availability problems and high work burdens for the GPs could affect the patients’ choice for using e-consultations. If e-consultations are used for triage purposes, caution should be taken to avoid a shift in workload from the health secretary to the GP.