Exploring the Lived Experiences of Rural Health Unit Nurses on mWell Telemedicine Platform Utilization in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Rural Health Unit nurses in utilizing the mWell telemedicine platform in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, a geographically isolated island municipality in the southern Philippines. The study examined how telemedicine supported community nursing practice, healthcare access, care continuity, and workforce response in a rural island setting. Using purposive sampling, nine community nurses from the Rural Health Unit of Sitangkai who had used or attempted to use mWell participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed through Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis. Findings generated six major themes: mWell as a mechanism for sustaining healthcare delivery; telehealth as a response to geographic isolation; training and competence as determinants of telehealth effectiveness; technical and communication readiness as conditions for quality care; mWell as a bridge for workforce gaps and referral networks; and persistent barriers limiting equitable telehealth access. Results indicate that mWell contributed to continuity of care, reduced travel burden, remote consultation, and referral support. However, its implementation was constrained by unstable connectivity, limited digital infrastructure, inadequate training, digital literacy gaps, and the continued need for face-to-face care in complex cases. The study concludes that mWell is a promising complementary mechanism for rural healthcare delivery, but its effectiveness depends on institutional support, provider readiness, reliable infrastructure, and context-sensitive implementation.