Role flexibility among telemedicine service providers in the north-west and west of Ireland

A recent review of telemedicine services in the north-west and west of Ireland identified of telemedicine services, most of which were in the early stages of implementation. A qualitative approach was used to review them. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a multidisciplinary group of primary- and secondary-care providers (n = 21) who were involved with either synchronous or asynchronous telemedicine services. Data were analysed according to the principles of framework analysis. Participants described the ways in which they were flexible about their workload, professional identities and roles to facilitate the organization and delivery of telemedicine services, and to ensure that services ran smoothly. While the positive effect of product champions and members of a wider supportive network or alliance on the conception and development of telemedicine services must be acknowledged, questions remain about associated long-term implementation and sustainability.