The use of telemedicine as a tool to reduce the work absence in Guarda Nacional Republicana

Abstract

Working within the Guarda Nacional Republicana, it is evident that geographic dispersion and centralized healthcare infrastructure create significant barriers to healthcare access for personnel stationed across 94% of Portuguese territory. This study examines whether telemedicine can address these barriers and reduce health-related absences. Employing an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, the research first used qualitative interviews with GNR stakeholders to identify underlying drivers of absenteeism. These extend beyond access to healthcare to include endemic organizational conflicts and human resource issues. Further, quantitative analysis revealed that the most significant perceived barriers to healthcare access are excessive waiting times for complementary exams and difficulty scheduling specialty appointments. However, GNR staff demonstrated high positive acceptance of telemedicine's usability and usefulness (e.g., easy to learn), confirming the feasibility of integrating additional telemedicine solutions. Results indicate that although telemedicine cannot resolve all internal organizational conflicts, its secure, combined implementation as an accessible Job Resource can significantly enhance an officer's ability to attend work by mitigating structural barriers of time and distance. This research proposes three main actions: launching a secure, integrated telemedicine platform, improving local infrastructure, and reforming Human Resources policies to address non-medical causes of absence.