Description
Introduction: Telehealth (health-related services provided via electronic and telecommunication technologies)) has played an increasingly prominent role in health care. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global significance of telehealth has been underscored. However, there is a lack of insight into the extent to which, and for which clients, telehealth can be considered an appropriate solution in NATure and Animal-assisted Intervention Strategies (NATAIS). The aim of this study was to capture practitioners’ experiences with telehealth, and to explore the barriers and facilitators to the use of telehealth in NATAIS.Methodology: Impressions of practitioners' use of telehealth was obtained through an online questionnaire. To contextualize the questionnaire results, additional in-depth interviews were conducted.
Main Results: Nine participants completed the questionnaire, and eight additional in-depth interviews were conducted. Professionals in NATAIS had limited telehealth experience which was, together with technical challenges (e.g., privacy laws), considered as the main obstacle. Practitioners did not perceive technology as a proper substitute for the in-person sensory experiences in NATAIS. Further interviews revealed that these experiences are essential for promoting relaxation and encouraging clients to step out of their comfort zones. Practitioners also emphasized that active engagement in natural settings enables clients to develop a deeper understanding, extending beyond the merely cognitive perception, of the relationship between themselves and their environment, thereby contributing to overall well-being. However, practitioners recognized the potential of telehealth to enhance animal welfare and acknowledged its added value, e.g., in situations where immediate in-person interaction is impractical.
Principal conclusions and implications: While practitioners recognize the potential of telehealth as a supplementary tool and its benefits in enhancing animal welfare, the findings underscore the importance of in-person sensory experiences in NATAIS. The limited experience, together with technical challenges, indicates the need for further exploration and adaptation of telehealth in NATAIS.
| Period | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Event title | ISAZ congres : 33rd International Society for Anthrozoology Conference |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Gloucester, United KingdomShow on map |