RACF staff perceptions of useability and acceptability of VTC within 48 h of participating in VTC: PACE-IT Research Project Staff Survey results
anxiety
There were 113 VTCs attended for the duration of the project. On each occasion when a VTC was completed, an electronic hyperlink to the PACE-IT Research Project Staff Survey was emailed to the nominated RACF contact person to disseminate to the relevant RACF staff participant for response. There were 44 responses (39%) to the PACE-IT Research Project Staff Survey (39 complete and 5 partially complete). The characteristics of the survey respondents are described in Table Characteristics of PACE-IT Research Project Staff Survey respondent resultsRegistered nurseOther level of staff32 (73%)12 (27%)Spoke a language other than English at homeOnly spoke English at home17 (39%)27 (61%)Of the respondents 27 (61%) had attended the face-to-face training required for the PACE-IT intervention (Sunner et al., 2020, pp. 5–6). Twenty responders (45%) considered that it took between 10- 15 min to undertake the call. Responses to the useability and acceptability of VTC in the RACF indicated that 38 responders (86%) strongly agreed or agreed that it was easy to set up and 39 (88%) strongly agreed or agreed that it was easy to use. Thirty eight responders (86%) strongly agreed or agreed that the quality of the call was acceptable. When examining the time, it took to do the call, 31 (70%) strongly disagreed or disagreed that it was too time consuming. One hundred percent of respondents indicated that a Visual Telehealth ACE call enhanced communication and 97% felt it provided a person-centred approach (one respondent was neutral so no respondents disagreed with this question). Ninety two percent of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that they were satisfied with the agreed resident management plan (the remaining 8% were neutral about the management plan).Responses to the PACE-IT survey indicate that some participants found the initiation of calls challenging, sometimes due to network issues. Most appreciated the person-centred approach of the service in relieving anxiety among residents. Visual telehealth calls were considered useful in avoiding unnecessary transfers, and some respondents suggested assigning dedicated devices for these calls. The service was seen as a positive step toward a more person-centred care approach and praised for providing better decision-making support, despite occasional audio and video connectivity issues. Participants reported an overall positive experience with the PACE-IT MoC and expressed a desire for weekend service availability and to expanding the service to more departments, such as mental health and dental clinics. Additionally, the MOC was rated as improving communication between the resident, RACF and ASET nurse.