Exploring the requirements of home medical carers and carees for a technological information platform

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the requirements of home medical carers and carees for a technological information platform. Methods: This was a qualitative study. The research participants, recruited through purposive sampling, were individuals with experience of home medical services, including doctors, nurses, and users and potential users of long-term care services. Content analysis was used to analyze the text. Results: Four themes emerged regarding the requirements that a technological information platform should meet: (1) high administration efficiency; (2) promotion of continuity of care; (3) integration of long-term care services and service consultation; and (4) promotion of quality of care. The doctors and nurses who administered home medical care stated that the platform should promote continuity and quality of care by improving work efficiency and simplifying communication between health care professionals and caregivers (or care recipients). The users and potential users of home care services hoped that they could obtain information about their service status and communicate with health care professionals. In addition, the users and potential users expected that the platform could integrate long-term care services and provide related health and welfare information; moreover, they wished to have access to high quality services through one single platform. Based on our review, the current information technology system of home medical care in Taiwan faces the following four challenges in meeting users' needs: (1) care information is held in various information systems; (2) the administrative support functions are not sufficiently comprehensive; (3) information on care resources is not provided in a timely manner; and (4) communication is monodirectional, from carers to carees. Conclusions: Although the Taiwanese government has developed several platforms to facilitate the development of home medical care services, these platforms do not meet users' needs. In an integrated information platform, the following functions must be prioritized: (1) high administrative efficiency; (2) promotion of continuity of care; (3) integration of long-term care services with service consultations; and (4) promotion of quality of care. ? 2019 Chinese Public Health Association of Taiwan. All rights reserved.