Exploring nurses' perspectives on video consultations and the nurse-patient relationship: Findings from qualitative focus group interviews in a Danish cardiology outpatient setting.

Abstract

Video consultations are increasingly implemented in healthcare, their integration into clinical practise remains challenging. Nurses' uncertainty derived from internal and external influences may hinder the use of technology. Limited research has examined nurses' experiences and perceptions related to the underuse of video consultations. This study aims to explore outpatient clinic nurses' experiences with video consultations and to identify the organisational prerequisites they consider important for successful implementation of video consultations in outpatient clinics. A hermeneutic qualitative exploratory approach was applied explore and interpret experiences and perceptions. Data were generated through two focus group interviews with 5 and 7 participating nurses in each group. The participants were recruited from two Danish cardiology outpatient clinics selected to ensure relevant clinical experience. Data were analysed using thematic analysis guided by Braun & Clarke. Data provided insights into the perspectives of nurses, resulting in three main themes: Video consultations must be used at the right time, Nursing care must remain as a relational practice, and Missing initiatives for enabling nurses to use video consultations. Nurses experienced video consultations as both beneficial and challenging, shaped by tensions between efficiency demands, organisational conditions, and relational nursing values. Although video consultations offered flexibility and potential improvements in care delivery, nurses' use depended largely on organizational support and integration into clinical workflows. Participants emphasised that high-quality nursing care is based on relational, embodied, and ethically responsible practices, which they perceived as potentially compromised in digital encounters. Organisational factors, including leadership, training, and clear implementation strategies, were identified as critical to promoting sustainable use. No Patient or Public Contribution.