Thesis: Video consultation self-efficacy in specialized healthcare. A multi-method approach to creating a video consultation self-efficacy scale.
In her research, Baluszek has explored how confident healthcare professionals feel using video consultations in Norway's specialist healthcare services. This confidence, often referred to as "self-efficacy," can be crucial for how quickly and effectively healthcare professionals adapt to such technology. She and her research colleagues developed a tool called the "Video Consultation Self-Efficacy Scale." This is a 12-item questionnaire that measures how confident (comfortable and competent) healthcare professionals feel when conducting video consultations. By using this scale in surveys, they aimed to understand which psychological, social, and demographic factors might influence healthcare professionals' self-efficacy in specialist healthcare services.
Their results showed that digital competence and previous experience with video consultations are the most significant factors influencing healthcare professionals' confidence in using this technology.
Understanding healthcare professionals' self-efficacy in using video consultations is important, as it may affect the quality of care provided to patients. When healthcare professionals feel confident with video consultation technology, they are more likely to use it effectively, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
By identifying the factors that influence self-efficacy, healthcare leaders can implement targeted interventions, such as specialized training or enhanced technology, to better support professionals. This will help maintain the value of video consultations as a healthcare tool post-pandemic, while also enhancing accessibility and flexibility for both patients and providers.
Joanna Barbara Baluszek holds a master’s degree in public health from Jagiellonian University, Medical College, and holds a master’s degree in health sciences from University of Stavanger. She defended her thesis November 11th, 2024. Her PhD was, undertaken at the PhD program in Health and Medicine at University of Stavanger.
Supervisors
Main supervisor:
Professor Kolbjørn Kallesten Brønnick, University of Stavanger
Co-supervisor:
Professor Siri Wiig, University of Stavanger
Professor Kai Victor Myrnes-Hansen, University of Stavanger
