Other Titles
An Educational Program to Increase Knowledge for Discharge Planners [Title Slide]
Other Titles
Improving Discharge Planners Education on Telehealth: An Effective Approach for Discharge Planning of the Elderly Population in Nigeria [Title Slide]
Abstract
The swift advancement of technology has greatly influenced numerous fields, including healthcare. Telehealth utilizes digital resources to deliver health services from a distance, making it an essential means to enhance healthcare access. It is crucial for older adults, who frequently deal with mobility limitations and various health issues (World Health Organization [WHO], 2024).
Nevertheless, the implementation of telehealth in Nigeria faces various challenges. A primary issue is the lack of training and readiness among healthcare workers, particularly those involved in discharge planning. These professionals play a vital role in coordinating care after patients leave the hospital. Telehealth provides health services and information through telecommunications technologies and is viewed as a promising approach to closing gaps in healthcare delivery, especially in resource-constrained regions (Bali, 2018).
Despite its potential, telehealth's involvement in discharge planning in Nigeria remains limited. A significant obstacle is the insufficient education and training for discharge planners concerning telehealth technologies and their effective application (Katurura & Cilliers, 2018).
Enhancing the education of discharge planners about telehealth will substantially benefit healthcare and facilitate continuous care, ensuring adequate follow-up and support following hospital discharge (Kruse et al., 2020). Remote monitoring and consultations can reduce costs and lessen dependence on in-person services. This alteration would enable better resource allocation to those requiring immediate physical care (Eze et al., 2020). Furthermore, the program will enhance the significance of cultural sensitivity and flexibility in nursing, pave the way for new research opportunities, and positively affect nursing practices, leading to a better patient outcome, especially in resource-limited countries like Nigeria.
Notes
References:
Bali, S. (2018). Barriers to Development of telemedicine in developing countries. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81723
Eze, N. D., Mateus, C., & Cravo Oliveira Hashiguchi, T. (2020). Telemedicine in the OECD: An Umbrella review of clinical and cost-effectiveness, patient experience and implementation. PLOS ONE, 15(8), e0237585. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237585
Katurura, M. C., & Cilliers, L. (2018). Electronic health record system in the public health care sector of South Africa: A systematic literature review. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 10(1), e1-e8.
https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v10i1.1746
Kruse, C., Fohn, J., Wilson, N., Nunez Patlan, E., Zipp, S., & Mileski, M. (2020).
Utilization barriers and medical outcomes commensurate with the use of telehealth among older adults: Systematic review. JMR Medical Informatics, 8(8), e20359. https://doi.org/10.2196/20359
World Health Organization. (2024). Ageing and Health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
Sigma Membership
Epsilon Mu
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Interprofessional Initiatives, Continuing Education, Telemedicine, Hospital Admission & Discharge, Transitional Care, Discharge Planning, Older People, Health of Older People, Nigeria
Recommended Citation
Idowu, Catherine Ene, "Improving Discharge Planners' Education on Telehealth" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 321.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/321
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-09-26
Improving Discharge Planners' Education on Telehealth
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The swift advancement of technology has greatly influenced numerous fields, including healthcare. Telehealth utilizes digital resources to deliver health services from a distance, making it an essential means to enhance healthcare access. It is crucial for older adults, who frequently deal with mobility limitations and various health issues (World Health Organization [WHO], 2024).
Nevertheless, the implementation of telehealth in Nigeria faces various challenges. A primary issue is the lack of training and readiness among healthcare workers, particularly those involved in discharge planning. These professionals play a vital role in coordinating care after patients leave the hospital. Telehealth provides health services and information through telecommunications technologies and is viewed as a promising approach to closing gaps in healthcare delivery, especially in resource-constrained regions (Bali, 2018).
Despite its potential, telehealth's involvement in discharge planning in Nigeria remains limited. A significant obstacle is the insufficient education and training for discharge planners concerning telehealth technologies and their effective application (Katurura & Cilliers, 2018).
Enhancing the education of discharge planners about telehealth will substantially benefit healthcare and facilitate continuous care, ensuring adequate follow-up and support following hospital discharge (Kruse et al., 2020). Remote monitoring and consultations can reduce costs and lessen dependence on in-person services. This alteration would enable better resource allocation to those requiring immediate physical care (Eze et al., 2020). Furthermore, the program will enhance the significance of cultural sensitivity and flexibility in nursing, pave the way for new research opportunities, and positively affect nursing practices, leading to a better patient outcome, especially in resource-limited countries like Nigeria.
Description
Effective discharge planning is essential for maintaining the health of the elderly patients after discharge from the hospital. A detailed plan is suggested, which includes specific training programs, developing resources, collaborative learning, and evaluation tools. These will help discharge planners gain the skills and knowledge needed. Improved care coordination, a lower rate of admission, and an increase in better health outcomes will lead to better health care delivery in Nigeria.