IADR Abstract Archives
Evaluation of a teledentistry program to support new dental graduates working in rural and remote Aboriginal communities using the technology acceptance model
Objectives: The dental workforce distribution is unbalanced favouring metropolitan locations. Attracting and retaining general dental practitioners to rural is difficult due to; income sustainability, employment security and social and professional isolation. The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health developed and implemented a teledentistry program aimed at alleviating the burden of professional isolation for new graduates working in the ‘Dalang’ project, within rural and remote Aboriginal communities in NSW. This involves a weekly teleconference between the new graduates and a senior dental professional. New graduates present clinical cases and the meeting allows for the discussion of various management options of such cases as well as an interaction between graduate practitioners and senior clinicians. The aim of this study was to determine the satisfaction and useability of the Poche teledentistry program.
Methods: A survey based on the technology acceptance model was used, this included 34 question based on 16 constructs ranging from completeness, accuracy to reliability and flexibility of the program. Each question was measured on a seven point Likert-type scale. The survey was distributed electronically using an email link to the survey hosted in Qualtrics™.
Results: A total of 10 responses were received from 12 invitations sent to graduate dentists and oral health therapists. Three senior clinicians also answered the survey. Amongst the new graduates; completeness, accuracy, currency, reliability and quality of the information provided all rated highly. Reliability, flexibility and system quality of the program also rated highly. New graduates wanted to change the format of the clinical cases. Some new graduates thought the meetings could occur less often. Overall satisfaction was high from both senior clinicians and new graduates.
Conclusions: Using simple technology and support from the Poche Centre a teledentistry program was implemented that rated highly with users and provided much needed professional support for these isolated dental clinicians.
Methods: A survey based on the technology acceptance model was used, this included 34 question based on 16 constructs ranging from completeness, accuracy to reliability and flexibility of the program. Each question was measured on a seven point Likert-type scale. The survey was distributed electronically using an email link to the survey hosted in Qualtrics™.
Results: A total of 10 responses were received from 12 invitations sent to graduate dentists and oral health therapists. Three senior clinicians also answered the survey. Amongst the new graduates; completeness, accuracy, currency, reliability and quality of the information provided all rated highly. Reliability, flexibility and system quality of the program also rated highly. New graduates wanted to change the format of the clinical cases. Some new graduates thought the meetings could occur less often. Overall satisfaction was high from both senior clinicians and new graduates.
Conclusions: Using simple technology and support from the Poche Centre a teledentistry program was implemented that rated highly with users and provided much needed professional support for these isolated dental clinicians.