FIRST THE HUMANS THEN THE TECHNOLOGY; A REALIST EVALUATION OF A WOUND CARE TELEMEDICINE SOLUTION IN A CROSS-SECTORIAL SETTING

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the role of the Danish telemedicine (TM) solution Pleje.net® in the treatment and care of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) within a cross-sectorial, multidisciplinary setting. Method: We utilized a realist evaluation methodology combined with ethnographic participant observation to examine the role of the TM solution Pleje.net® in the treatment and care of patients with DFU. Data collection involved observing patients and healthcare professionals for 68 hours in 2023. The analysis followed the process of context, mechanism, and outcome configurations, along with cumulative thematization to highlight key insights. Results / Discussion: We identified three cumulations relying on 84 context, mechanism, and outcome configurations. 1) Time matters: Challenging time restrictions regarding both organizational and personal matters in TM and person-centered care for patients with DFU. 2) Building bridges: The power of relationships in sustaining telemedicine use is outstanding 3) Tech obstacles: Aligning perceptions and mastering digital telemedicine tools significantly influence the utilization of TM solutions in cross-sectorial settings. Conclusion: Our study highlights that the TM solution Pleje.net® fosters strong relationships between healthcare professionals cross-sectorially and thereby supporting the existence of trust and engagement along the DFU patient's pathways. When these robust relationships are present the TM solution facilitates timely and coordinated care across different sectors, ultimately improving patient outcomes in a multidisciplinary setting and creates the efficient and effective care and treatment of patients with DFU.