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Telehealth Research Methadology
Introduction
There are numerous advantages to healthcare provision via telehealth among them is the ability to enhance access to specialized healthcare for marginalized rural populations. Patients can also save time and money by having video consultations with specialists from a rural clinic. Moreover, video conferencing provides new options for continuous education or training for remote or rural healthcare professionals who are not ready to leave their remote practices to attend professional gatherings. Tele-radiology and tele-pathology allow medical services to be delivered over vast distances and throughout national and international borders. Telehealth also enhances accessibility, delivers previously unavailable care, enhances internal controls in screening programs, and lowers healthcare expenditures.
Telehealth Research Methodology
Following the Researcher Literature Review on Telehealth and its impact on patient outcomes- a study of a State of the Art Telehealth care program in a Territory Center in Saudi Arabia The intention of the researcher is to conduct survey were the respondents would be The Physicians and The patients.
Research Philosophy
A science theory is a set of beliefs about how data about a phenomenon should be collected, analyzed, and used. The concept epistemology (what is proven to be true) as opposed to doxology (what is believed to be true) covers the multiple science methodology ideologies. The following topics should be covered in every dissertation discussion of study philosophy:
The researcher must state your study’s analysis philosophy. As discussed below, the research theory may be pragmatism, positivism, skepticism, or interpretivism.
Research philosophy deals with the source, nature and development of knowledge. In simple terms, a research philosophy is belief about the ways in which data about a phenomenon should be collected, analyzed, and used. The researcher intended to use Positivism as a research Philosophy.Positivism provided the basis for this research. It is a philosophical theory that relies on all genuine knowledge as either true by definition or positive. The data given is from real experience and exposure to natural phenomena, their attributes, and relations. The verified information, also known as empirical evidence, is proof that the positivism philosophy relies on empiricism. In context, Positivism research philosophy fits in regards to the Telehealth survey as it focuses on obtaining data and conclusions from actual experiences of the physicians and patients in question. Moreover, positivism emphasizes the type of information actively based on sensory experience, interpreted via logic, and bases for all knowledge regarding the particular topic. For instance, positivism enhanced the accuracy of the data obtained from my research and focused on getting the fundamental results from the sample needed in the study.
Research Approach
The survey approach is the most practical alternative for this dissertation. The deductive methodology is synonymous with the survey process. It enables the processing of vast amounts of data from a large population in a cost-effective manner. Data is standardized using the questionnaire, allowing for fast collection. It is also a low-cost alternative for the researcher. The survey technique also allows for the collection of quantitative data, which can then be analyzed descriptively. To ensure a high response rate, the survey approach employs the creation and piloting of data collection methods.
The researcher also will utilize a Deductive research approach to get the information required. The researcher liaised with prior surveys and studies concerning the impact of telehealth on patient outcomes to have scientific information regarding the upcoming survey that will be undertaker. The researcher extensively studied what other researchers had done, read their existing theories concerning the influences of telehealth on patient outcomes, and finally tested the various hypotheses that resulted from the said theories. Through the deductive approach, the researcher was able to theorize and hypothesize my general level of focus that was telehealth, analyzed the data that researchers gathered before me, and supported and dismissed some of their hypotheses regarding my specific focus levels.
Sampling method
When it came to sampling methods, the researcher studied the two major methods- probability and non-probability sampling approaches. Probability sampling typically entails a random process to select the participants. The researcher considered using simple random sampling where every member of the specific group has an equal chance of being chosen to take part in the research. This would be ideal as a sample that is accurately representative of the interest group, and would have made the research results liable to generalization to the general population, telehealth physicians, and patients in this case. Furthermore, it makes it a perfect choice when using the statistical data gathered to conclude the overall patient and physician perspectives concerning telehealth’s impacts. On the other hand, non-probability sampling does not provide equal chances for participant’s selection into the study process. In this case, the method is focused on convenience sampling where only readily- accessible participants are chosen, and other members who do not fit the criteria are left out. It would be ideal for this research on telehealth in that it would enhance the qualitative aspect of the study, as it would not focus on generalizing the conclusions to cater to the whole population but give more accurate answers from the set sample. Non-probability sampling is also beneficial as it would enable the researcher to use the purposive sampling technique to select participants with specific insight concerning telehealth- physicians and patients. The probability sampling method would be more compatible for this survey as it would reflect on the whole population, not just the select few. Moreover, the results will vary and reflect on the different perspectives patients and physicians have regarding the impacts of telehealth.
Sample size
The participants for the survey were a convenience sample of 100 people. Fifty patients and fifty physicians were provided with invitations to participate in the study through social media, and personalized invitation links will be send to their emails or using WhatsApp application by phone. To be eligible for participation, the participants had to be over 18 years and consent to their data being utilized in the study. The survey will be a cross-sectional and developed through literature reviews and specifically modified queries. The telehealth questions will be answered on a 5-point Likert scale, which had 1= strongly agree and 5= strongly disagrees. Furthermore, questions about the demographics will also be asked, including and not limited to the overall health status, access to a primary care provider (PCP), access to the internet, and the satisfaction of both group ( Physicians and patients )
Questionnaire Design
The researcher is planning to ask the following questions along with additional questions for the final survey. One of the surveys will be in English, the respondents will be the physicians the other survey will be in Arabic, and the respondents will be the patients. Attached below is an example of the first survey that will be sent to the physicians.
For Data gathering and Analysis, the Researcher is intended to use Google Forms
Limitations of the study
The study will have certain limitations, which might make the research harder to conduct. For instance, the frame from which the sample was obtained was restricted to patients who were successful in adopting the service early and within two practices in a health system. Technical difficulties such as setting up their devices regarding the survey did not arise as most participants had extensive experience and exposure to video conferencing.. Moreover, the survey team might strive to conduct the survey close to the telehealth visits,. The above limitations have been appropriately recognized and it has been noted that the survey’s findings were utilizable to patients and physicians who possess the technical knowledge and capabilities to conduct telehealth visits. Additionally, future research is required to correctly sample patients who lack experience with video technology and get opinions of patients and physicians who have connectivity challenges.
Summary of the chapter
In summary, the most appropriate way for conducting this research in a form of cross section survey to be sent to the Physicians and patients who live in Saudi Arabia focusing the questioners to cover mainly their satisfactions and there point of view regarding Telehealth technology. Specific questions will be asked to see the feasibility to use such a technology to assists patients in a remote area. In order to do that the researcher elected to choose Positivism as a research philosophy and the approach would be Deductive with a sample size around 100 split almost equally between the two groups of respondent’s. Sampling method will be Probability for the intended research, which is a conduction of a Survey the method will be Convenience sampling. Convenience sampling is a form of nonprobability sampling in which individuals are sampled solely because they are “convenient” data sources for researchers. Data Gathering by using Google forms and for Analysis of Data also Google forms to be used.
Overview of next Chapter
Next step in my Research , is to Collect the data and Analyzed and get the final finding after conducting the two surveys , the intention here is to use google forms to analysis all the data from the respondent’s ( Physicians and Patients )
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