International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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Perceived Access to Health Care Services and Relevance of Telemedicine during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global acceleration in the use of telemedicine and e-health due to the prolonged closure of some medical services and the worldwide maintenance of social distance to prevent the spread of the disease.

The benefits of telemedicine initiatives are important: remote analysis, monitoring services and electronic data storage significantly reduce healthcare service costs; telemedicine also offers better access to more specialists, regardless of patient location. However, its disadvantages are also considerable, since the use of telemedicine implies making use of technologies that are difficult to access for the elderly population, who are usually the population requiring the most medical assistance.

Training and learning new telehealth tools are also a strong handicap for both patients and healthcare professionals. However, there are many issues surrounding this topic, such as: is it measurable from the perspective of health personnel and patients that telemedicine improves health services? What are the new trends and tools in telemedicine and e-health due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Finally, which healthcare activities are susceptible to the use of telemedicine?

Papers addressing these topics are invited to contribute to this Special Issue.

Dr. María Asunción Vicente
Guest Editor

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Keywords

telemedicine
telehealth
teleconsultation
e-health
m-health
remote consultation
remote treatment
COVID-19 pandemic
social distance
rural health
urban health
health services
job satisfaction
patient satisfaction

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Research

16 pages, 4211 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Barriers to Telemedicine Adoption during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan: Comparison of Perceived Risks by Socioeconomic Status Correlates

by Tzu-Chi Wu and Chien-Ta Bruce Ho

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3504; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043504 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2209

Abstract

Telemedicine is the use of technology to deliver healthcare services from a distance. In some countries, telemedicine became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its increasing popularity provides new research opportunities to unveil users’ perceptions toward its adoption and continued use. Existing studies have provided limited information and understanding of Taiwanese users and the various sociodemographic factors that influence their intention to use telemedicine services. Thus, the goals of this study were twofold: identifying the dimensions of perceived risks of telemedicine services in Taiwan and providing specific responses to those perceptions as well as determining strategies to promote telemedicine to local policymakers and influencers by providing a better understanding of the perceived risks in relation to socioeconomic status. We collected 1000 valid responses using an online survey and found performance risk to be the main barrier, which was followed by psychological, physical, and technology risks. Older adults with lower levels of education are less likely to use telemedicine services compared to other categories because of multiple perceived risks, including social and psychological concerns. Understanding the differences in perceived risks of telemedicine services by socioeconomic status may aid in identifying the actions required to overcome barriers and may consequently improve adoption of the technology and user satisfaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perceived Access to Health Care Services and Relevance of Telemedicine during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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14 pages, 2070 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Patient Engagement Using Telemedicine in Primary Care during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Trial Study

by María Asunción Vicente, César Fernández, Mercedes Guilabert, Irene Carrillo, Jimmy Martín-Delgado, José Joaquín Mira and Prometeo173 Working Group

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 14682; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214682 - 9 Nov 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2614

Abstract

The correct treatment of most non-transmissible diseases requires, in addition to adequate medication, adherence to physical activity and diet guidelines, as well as health data monitoring and patient motivation. The restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic made telemedicine tools and mobile apps the best choice for monitoring patient compliance. The objective of this study was to analyze the benefits of an m-Health solution designed specifically for chronic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A pragmatic clinical trial with pre–post measurements of a single group was carried out with 70 patients (aged 40+) with one or more chronic conditions. Patients were provided with an ad hoc mobile app and health data measuring devices according to their diseases. The health status of the patients was monitored remotely by health professionals who could also modify the patient’s objectives according to their evolution. The results obtained show an average fulfillment of objectives of 77%. Higher fulfillment values: medication adherence (98%) and oxygen saturation (82%); lower fulfillment values: weight (48%), glucose (57%), and distance walked (57%). Globally, the ad hoc app was rated 8.72 points out of 10 (standard deviation 1.10). Concerning the pre–post analysis, there were significant improvements vs. prior apps used by the participants in the following items: improved physical activation and better control of blood pressure, diet, weight, glucose, and oxygen saturation. In conclusion, the telemedicine tool developed was useful in increasing patient engagement and adherence to treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perceived Access to Health Care Services and Relevance of Telemedicine during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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Perceived Access to Health Care Services and Relevance of Telemedicine during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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