Exploring Clinicians’ Lived Experiences of Adapting to Telemedicine Practices in Rural Elderly Digital Healthcare Settings
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Abstract
Aim: This study aims to examine clinicians’ lived experiences of adapting to telemedicine, with a focus on its impact on emotional well-being, professional identity, and clinical presence. Methods: Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve clinicians from diverse medical specialties. Data were analyzed thematically. Main Findings: Four themes emerged: emotional disruption, redefinition of clinical presence, ethical dissonance, and adaptive resilience. Clinicians reported digital fatigue, reduced interpersonal connection, and tensions with traditional caregiving values, but also demonstrated resilience by adopting strategies such as enhancing empathetic communication, leveraging peer support, and redefining professional roles. Implications: The findings highlight the psychological and ethical challenges of telemedicine while emphasizing the importance of resilience strategies. These insights can inform the design of more sustainable, patient-centered digital healthcare systems. Future research should examine cultural and organizational variations to better support clinician well-being.
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