Telemedicine Apps Research Articles

Study of Patients’ Satisfaction with different types of Telemedicine Services provided by the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia

One way to gauge the quality of healthcare is to look at how satisfied patients are with the system overall. Finding out how happy patients are with various telemedicine services offered by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health is the main goal of this research. The satisfaction of Saudi Arabian customers using telemedicine services was assessed in a cross-sectional survey. Customers of the 940 medical contact centre and the Sehha app, two telemedicine services, were surveyed using a rigorous random selection technique. Two hundred and fifty users of the 940 medical contact centre and the Sehha app were selected at random to fill out a pre-designed survey about their level of satisfaction with various aspects of the two health services. Out of 250 people who used telemedicine services, 83.14 percent were happy with the care they received overall, while 8.03 percent were unhappy. These days, telemedicine apps are employed by a lot of wealthy nations and even some underdeveloped ones to help provide healthcare to people faster for all sorts of medical issues. In Saudi Arabia, telemedicine services generally had good satisfaction ratings, with no discernible variation in ratings between the 940 medical contact centre and the Sehha app. Customers who used telemedicine services were generally pleased and were even willing to recommend them to others.

Utilizing online reviews for analyzing digital healthcare consultation services: Examining perspectives of both healthcare customers and healthcare professionals

IntroductionDigital healthcare consultation services, also known as telemedicine, have seen a surge in their usage, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to investigate the satisfaction determinants of healthcare customers (patients) and healthcare professionals (doctors), providing digital healthcare consultation services. MethodsThe analysis involved scraping online reviews of 11 telemedicine apps meant for patients and 7 telemedicine apps meant for doctors, yielding a total of 44,440 patient reviews and 4748 doctor reviews. A structural topic modeling analysis followed by regression, dominance, correspondence, and emotion analysis was conducted to derive insights. ResultsThe study identified ten determinants of satisfaction from patients’ and eight from doctors’ perspectives. For patients, ’service variety and quality’ (β = 0.5527) was the top positive determinant, while ’payment disputes’ (β = -0.1173) and ’in-app membership’ (β = -0.031) negatively impacted satisfaction. For doctors, ’patient consultation management’ (β = 0.2009) was the leading positive determinant, with ’profile management’ (β = -0.1843), ’subscription’ (β = -0.183), and ’customer care support’ (β = -0.0908) being the negative ones. The most influential negative emotion for patients, anger, was closely associated with ’customer care service’ and ’in-app memberships,’ while joy was tied to ’service variety and quality’ and ’offers and discounts.’ For doctors, anger was associated with ’cost-effectiveness,’ and joy with ’app responsiveness.’ ConclusionThis study offers new insights by examining patient and doctor determinants at a granular level which can be used by telemedicine app developers and managers to build customer-centric services.

Research on the Design of Telemedicine Interface for the Elderly based on the Double Diamond Model

It has become an inevitable trend for China to enter an aging society. The rapid growth of the elderly population has placed a huge burden on the existing medical system. Existing telemedicine APPs do not take into account the characteristics and preferences of the elderly. In order to help the elderly better accept and use the telemedicine system and improve user satisfaction. It is proposed to optimize the telemedicine interface design based on the double diamond model, and the design process around the four stages of exploration, definition, development and interaction is explained in detail. Through semi-structured interviews with the elderly and designers, the user needs of the elderly for telemedicine and the design elements, tools and methods of the telemedicine interface for the elderly were obtained. Draw a user experience journey map and conduct telemedicine interface design practice for the elderly. Improve the elderly’s experience of using telemedicine, improve the comfort performance of products, and promote the development of the elderly health industry.

A cross-sectional study to assess the barriers to teleconsultations among doctors in Chennai

Background: A doctor's communication and interpersonal skills encompass gathering information to facilitate accurate diagnosis, counsel appropriately, give therapeutic instructions, and establish caring relationships with patients. While face-to-face consultations have been the norm, tele-consultations and enrolment in telemedicine apps have become necessary. Tele-consultations have been on the rise significantly during the COVID-19 lockdown. This study aims to assess the barriers to tele-consultations among doctors in Chennai. Methodology: This study uses a cross-sectional design to assess the barriers to tele-consultations among doctors in Chennai using a convenience sampling technique. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS software version 23. Results: 81.6% of the participants feel that teleconsultations have reduced face-to-face consultations. Only about 6% of the study participants preferred teleconsultation in the future. About a third of the doctors in the study could not treat/manage chronically ill patients through teleconsultations. About 70% of the doctors could follow up with their patients through telecommunication, but 70% failed to follow up. Conclusion: From this study, we conclude that only about 6% of the study participants would prefer teleconsultation in the future. Treating medical emergencies and assessment of surgical patients were considered as top 2 important barriers in this study with about half of them facing this barrier during their telecommunication.

Contents analysis of telemedicine applications in South Korea: An analysis of possibility of inducing selective or unnecessary medical care.

The use of telemedicine and telehealth has rapidly increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, could lead to unnecessary medical service. This study analyzes the contents of telemedicine apps (applications) in South Korea to investigate the use of telemedicine for selective or unnecessary medical treatments and the presence of advertising for the hospital. This study analyzed 49 telemedicine mobile apps in Korea; a content analysis of the apps' features and quality using a Mobile Application Rating Scale was done. The study analyzed 49 mobile telemedicine apps and found that 65.3% of the apps provide immediate telemedicine service without reservations, with an average rating of 4.35. 87% of the apps offered selective care, but the overall quality of the apps was low, with an average total quality score of 3.27. 73.9% of the apps were able to provide selective care for alopecia or morning-after pill prescription, 65.2% of the apps for weight loss, and 52.2% of the apps for erectile dysfunction, with the potential to encourage medical inducement or abuse. Therefore, before introducing telemedicine, it is helpful to prevent the possibility of abuse of telemedicine by establishing detailed policies for methods and scope of telemedicine.

The determinants of public acceptance of telemedicine apps: an innovation diffusion perspective.

With the rapid advancement of information technology, telemedicine apps have gradually become an indispensable tool for providing patients with more convenient, efficient, and accessible healthcare services. However, the successful implementation of these apps largely depends on widespread acceptance among the public. To thoroughly investigate the factors influencing the public's acceptance of these apps and the relationships between these factors, this study developed a theoretical model based on the Diffusion of Innovation theory and the Theory of Perceived Value. To validate this model, we conducted a survey of 387 residents in Beijing, China, and employed structural equation modeling to analyze the collected data. The research findings indicate that attributes of innovation diffusion, including relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability, significantly and positively influence the public's perceived value. Particularly noteworthy is that perceived value partially mediates the relationship between innovation attributes and public acceptance, emphasizing the crucial role of perceived value in the public decision-making process. This study employed a theory-driven approach to elucidate the acceptance of telemedicine apps and offers fresh insights into the existing literature. By integrating the research paradigms of innovation diffusion and customer perceived value, we provide a coherent explanation of how individual cognitive processes lead to acceptance behavior. In summary, this research enriches the existing theoretical studies on the acceptance of telemedicine apps and holds positive implications for healthcare practice.

Efeitos das tecnologias educativas na prevenção e tratamento da úlcera diabética: revisão sistemática e metanálise

Objective: to analyze the effects of educational technologies in the prevention and treatment of diabetic ulcers. Method: a systematic review conducted in seven databases, a bibliographic index, an electronic library and the Gray Literature. The sample consisted of 11 randomized controlled clinical trials. The synthesis of the results was descriptive and through meta-analysis. Results: the predominant educational technologies were training sessions and verbal guidelines, with soft-hard technologies standing out. When compared to usual care, the educational technologies presented a protective factor to prevent the incidence of diabetic ulcers (RR=0.40; 95% CI=0.18-0.90; p=0.03) and the certainty of the evidence assessment was low. The educational technologies also had a protective factor to prevent the incidence of lower limb amputations (RR=0.53; 95% CI=0.31-0.90; p=0.02) and certainty of the evidence was very low. Conclusion: soft-hard educational technologies such as structured verbal guidelines, educational games, lectures, theoretical-practical training sessions, educational videos, folders, serial albums and playful drawings, and hard technologies such as therapeutic footwear, insoles, infrared digital thermometer, foot care kits, Telemedicine app and mobile phone use, were effective for the prevention and treatment of diabetic ulcers, although more robust studies are required.

Effects of educational technologies on the prevention and treatment of diabetic ulcers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

to analyze the effects of educational technologies in the prevention and treatment of diabetic ulcers. a systematic review conducted in seven databases, a bibliographic index, an electronic library and the Gray Literature. The sample consisted of 11 randomized controlled clinical trials. The synthesis of the results was descriptive and through meta-analysis. the predominant educational technologies were training sessions and verbal guidelines, with soft-hard technologies standing out. When compared to usual care, the educational technologies presented a protective factor to prevent the incidence of diabetic ulcers (RR=0.40; 95%CI=0.18-0.90; p=0.03) and the certainty of the evidence assessment was low. The educational technologies also had a protective factor to prevent the incidence of lower limb amputations (RR=0.53; 95%CI=0.31-0.90; p=0.02) and certainty of the evidence was very low. soft-hard educational technologies such as structured verbal guidelines, educational games, lectures, theoretical-practical training sessions, educational videos, folders, serial albums and playful drawings, and hard technologies such as therapeutic footwear, insoles, infrared digital thermometer, foot care kits, Telemedicine app and mobile phone use, were effective for the prevention and treatment of diabetic ulcers, although more robust studies are required.

Why Do People Use Telemedicine Apps in the Post-COVID-19 Era? Expanded TAM with E-Health Literacy and Social Influence

This study delves into the determinants influencing individuals’ intentions to adopt telemedicine apps during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aims to offer a comprehensive framework for understanding behavioral intentions by leveraging the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), supplemented by e-health literacy and social influence variables. The study analyzes survey data from 364 adults using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to empirically examine the internal relationships within the model. Results indicated that e-health literacy, attitude, and social influence significantly impacted the intention to use telemedicine apps. Notably, e-health literacy positively influenced both perceived usefulness and ease of use, expanding beyond mere usage intention. The study underscored the substantial role of social influence in predicting the intention to use telemedicine apps, challenging the traditional oversight of social influence in the TAM framework. The findings will help researchers, practitioners, and governments understand how social influence and e-health literacy influence the adoption of telehealth apps and promote the use of telehealth apps through enhancing social influence and e-health literacy.

Enhancing HIV Patient Support Through Telehealth: Exploring Design Solutions.

In recent years, telemedicine has advanced significantly, offering new possibilities for improving healthcare and patient outcomes. This paper presents a telemedicine app for HIV patients, developed using a human-centered design approach. Designed to meet the diverse and specific needs of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) users and Late Presenters (LP), the app is part of the COMTRAC-HIV Project at the University Hospital Frankfurt. Through interviews with HIV experts and healthcare professionals, initial design solutions were derived. The paper explores the app's design process, core functionalities, and future directions, aiming to provide comprehensive support for individuals living with HIV.

437P Improving safety and convenience for breast cancer patients receiving CDK 4/6 inhibitor treatment via a telemedicine app

437P Improving safety and convenience for breast cancer patients receiving CDK 4/6 inhibitor treatment via a telemedicine app

FACTOR ANALYSIS ON PET LOVERS INTENTION TO UTILIZE TELEMEDICINE APPLICATION FOR PETS THROUGH INTEGRATION MODEL UTAUT2 AND TPB

The purpose of this study were to determine the factors that influence pet owners' intentions to use telemedicine applications for their pets. Based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), in order to gather information, a survey of pet owners in Indonesia a random sampling method was used. Respondents filled out a total of 400 questionnaires, which were gathered. Using Smart Partial Least Squares (PLS) version 3.0, an analysis was done on the data that was collected. Positive factors included performance and effort expectations, attitude toward use, facilitating conditions, subjective norm, and intention to use. According to the findings, future development strategies should prioritize factors that positively influence pet owners' intentions to use telemedicine apps for pets.

Medical Image Encryption and Decryption Based on DNA: A Survey

In the medical field, advanced techniques such as e-health, intelligent health, and telemedicine apps are being deployed. These approaches use open-source networks to send digital medical images. Patients’ private and sensitive diagnosis is contained in the digital medical image. Then sent the digital medical images are used for diagnosis by the remote center. For this reason, protecting patient privacy and the integrity of medical images is of paramount importance. DNA Digital coding is the most popular form of cryptographic technology, and it is frequently employed to strengthen information security, and the most prevalent constraints of DNA cryptographic schemes feature a high degree of temporal and algor. If DNA is employed appropriately, it can be used to achieve a number of security technologies, including encryption, steganography, signature, and authentication through the use of DNA molecules as information carriers. In this paper, a survey on the digital medical image was done. This survey contains the methods of encryption, and decryption of the image which is based on DNA with all the related methods and makes the comparison between the previous papers and explain which is the best to use.

The Influence of Perceived Usability, Visual Appearance, and Reputation on Telemedicine Customer Trust

This study takes a different approach than previous research, namely the cognitive and affective attribute models. This model has been empirically tested in terms of online repurchase intentions (Fang et al., 2016), tourist destination image (Garay, 2019), and funder intentions to support crowdfunding projects (Liang et al., 2019). Cognitive and affective attribute models are dynamic and parsimonious, with cognitive and affective attributes determined by situational conditions rather than absolute determination. These situational characteristics differentiate the cognitive and affective attribute models from other models such as the technology acceptance model and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. This study determined the perception of usability as a cognitive attribute and how people think about a telemedicine app's visual appearance and reputation as an affective attribute. Previous research on cognitive and affective models in the context of telemedicine is still scarce. As a result, this research is novel and contributes to the advancement of marketing science, particularly consumer behaviour in telemedicine applications. This study also makes a few suggestions for businesspeople who offer telemedicine services on how to make them more accepted, known, and trusted by the public. Keywords: Telemedicine, Perceived Usability, Visual Appearance, Reputation, Trust

Application of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in Telemedicine Application During Covid-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic hit the whole world, including Indonesia, forcing people to limit all activities outside their homes, including treatment activities to hospitals. This study aims to examine the application of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to telemedicine applications during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed research model is formulated from the extended technology acceptance model theory with empirical testing using data obtained from telemedicine user surveys. This study analyzed two additional external factors: privacy concerns and trust. Data is processed using SmartPLS software. A total of 406 telemedicine users participated in this study with male, n=206; 51%, female, n=200; 49%. Research respondents habitually used telemedicine applications during the COVID-19 pandemic that hit Indonesia. Among these respondents, 94.7% reported using telemedicine services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most widely used telemedicine application, with a total of 59.7% of respondents, chose Halodoc. The external variable privacy concern does not affect the perceived usefulness of telemedicine used. However, trust and perceived usefulness are associated with a positive significance in telemedicine used during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. Privacy concerns have a limited impact on the perception of expediency but influence the ease of use of telemedicine apps. On the other hand, trust plays a vital role in shaping telemedicine's perceived usefulness and ease of use during the COVID-19 pandemic, as telemedicine has become indispensable for accessing healthcare services.

SAFETY, FEASIBILITY, AND ACCEPTABILITY OF TELEMEDICINE FOR HYPERTENSION IN PRIMARY CARE: A PROOF-OF-CONCEPT AND PILOT RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL (SATE-HT)

Objective: Hypertension (HT) continues to be a leading cause of cardiovascular death and an enormous burden on the healthcare system. Although telemedicine may provide improved blood pressure (BP) monitoring and control, it remains unclear whether it could replace face-to-face consultations in patients with optimal BP control. We hypothesized that an automatic drug refill coupled with a telemedicine system tailored to patients with optimal BP would lead to non-inferior BP control Design and method: In this pilot, multicenter, randomized control trial (RCT), participants receiving anti-HT medications were randomly assigned (1:1) to either the telemedicine or usual care group. Patients in the telemedicine group measured and transmitted their home BP readings to the clinic. The medications were refilled without consultation when optimal control (BP <135/85 mmHg) was confirmed. The primary outcome of this trial was the feasibility of using the telemedicine app. Office and ambulatory BP readings were compared between the two groups at the study endpoint. Acceptability was assessed through interviews with the telemedicine study participants. Results: Overall, 49 participants were recruited in 6 months and retention rate was 98%. Participants from both groups had similar BP control (daytime systolic BP: 128.2 versus 126.9 mmHg [telemedicine vs. usual care], p = 0.41) and no adverse events. Participants in the telemedicine group had fewer general outpatient clinic attendances (0.8 vs. 2, p<0.001). Interviewees reported that the system was convenient, timesaving, cost saving, and educational. Conclusions: The system could be safely used. However, the results must be verified in an adequately powered RCT.

Digital Health Inclusion: A Pilot Study of Health Services Deployment Using Communications Satellite for the Underserved in Nigeria

Health service delivery in Nigeria is constrained by: brain drain, insufficient infrastructure and technology, poor and inadequate medical facilities and paucity of medical specialists in rural and remote regions - thus leading to a high rate of “medical tourism”. With increasing mobile phone ownership in Nigeria, mobile technology-based telemedicine has the potential to improve Nigeria’s healthcare delivery with enabling infrastructural facilities. In this paper, a pilot study that uses Nigeria’s communication satellite system for virtual Telemedicine connection between health practitioners and underserved communities using the “one2one” mobile telemedicine application is reported. This pilot study aimed to deploy Nigeria’s communication satellite system to enable virtual telemedicine connection between health practitioners and underserved communities using the “one2one” mobile telemedicine app. Successful deployment of a 1.8m VSAT dish at the pilot clinic and testing showed robust internet connectivity with a time delay of 250ms per hop. Furthermore, the One2one app was successfully installed on health practitioners’ tablets/phone and patients’ phone/tablets. Over 100 patients were treated using the one2one app connected through the satellite internet. The one2one app was highly rated by patients and healthcare providers in terms of usability with the highest score being ease of use 87%. This study shows that Nigeria’s communications satellite can be deployed to support mobile telemedicine as part of the effort to increase access to doctors and specialists in medically underserved areas of Nigeria.

Technology-enabled cure and care: An application of innovation resistance theory to telemedicine apps in an emerging market context

Technology-enabled innovations are no longer sector-specific interventions; perhaps they are ubiquitous across businesses. Due to the uneven proliferation of mobile-driven innovations in emerging markets, the current research aims to determine the impediments to purchasing and continued intention to use telemedicine apps. The research model comprises five barriers from the innovation resistance theory, brand love, and continuance intention. Additionally, trust is used as a moderator in the hypothesized relationships. The mixed-method approach, in combination with covariance-based and partial-least square structural equation modelling was employed. Five barriers and two behavioral constructs were acknowledged based on qualitative personal interviews with telemedicine app users. The findings demonstrate that all five barriers significantly deter purchase intention, brand love, and continuance intention, while the usage barrier poses the most vigorous resistance. Trust significantly moderates the association between all five barriers and purchase intention. It was also found that purchase intention positively impacts brand love and continuance intention. The study contributes to the growing body of literature by conceptualizing a framework incorporating innovation barriers, purchase intention, brand love, trust, and continued intention for telemedicine apps. The study presents managerial implications for consumer researchers, marketers, policymakers, and technology professionals dealing with telemedicine apps.

Safety, Feasibility, and Acceptability of Telemedicine for Hypertension in Primary Care: A Proof-of-concept and Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (SATE-HT).

Hypertension (HT) continues to be a leading cause of cardiovascular death and an enormous burden on the healthcare system. Although telemedicine may provide improved blood pressure (BP) monitoring and control, it remains unclear whether it could replace face-to-face consultations in patients with optimal BP control. We hypothesized that an automatic drug refill coupled with a telemedicine system tailored to patients with optimal BP would lead to non-inferior BP control. In this pilot, multicenter, randomized control trial (RCT), participants receiving anti-HT medications were randomly assigned (1:1) to either the telemedicine or usual care group. Patients in the telemedicine group measured and transmitted their home BP readings to the clinic. The medications were refilled without consultation when optimal control (BP < 135/85 mmHg) was confirmed. The primary outcome of this trial was the feasibility of using the telemedicine app. Office and ambulatory BP readings were compared between the two groups at the study endpoint. Acceptability was assessed through interviews with the telemedicine study participants. Overall, 49 participants were recruited in 6 months and retention rate was 98%. Participants from both groups had similar BP control (daytime systolic BP: 128.2 versus 126.9 mmHg [telemedicine vs. usual care], p = 0.41) and no adverse events. Participants in the telemedicine group had fewer general outpatient clinic attendances (0.8 vs. 2, p < 0.001). Interviewees reported that the system was convenient, timesaving, cost saving, and educational. The system could be safely used. However, the results must be verified in an adequately powered RCT. Trial registration: NCT04542564.

Knowledge and Attitude of Salesmen in Nigeria towards Telemedicine

Need for prompt access to healthcare led to this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitude of Sales men in Nigeria. It involved 362 Salesmen from some selected big companies in three states (Taraba, Benue and Adamawa) and Abuja. An electronic survey prepared using Google Form was used to collect information through social media such as WhatsApp. The research tool was validated by three experts in public health and the reliability test was done using Cronbach Alpha and a 0.7 co-efficient was obtained. The findings from the study revealed that 98.1% respondents have heard about telemedicine while 98.1% agreed that mobile health can help especially during emergency. However, 97.2% knew telemedicine involves Live consultation and interactive sessions from a distance. Nevertheless, 95.9% knew telemedicine makes it possible for one to access clinical services from a distance while 93.4% were aware that telemedicine has provision for storage and forwarding, 82.9% knew telemedicine makes it possible for one to easily reach medical specialists. On their attitudes towards telemedicine, 49.7% and 49.4% of the respondents strongly agreed and agreed respectively that telemedicine makes it easier for one to reach his doctor while 42% and 49.4% agreed and strongly agreed that telemedicine helps to curb the spread of infection. However, 47% and 49.7% respectively agreed and strongly agreed that telemedicine enables one to receive medical attention even at odd hours or while in remote villages. Meanwhile, 42% and 49.4% respectively agreed and strongly agreed that telemedicine reduces cost. Also, 44.2% and 51.9% of the respondents respectively agreed and strongly agreed that telemedicine offers appropriate medical follow-up. Nevertheless, 43.6% of the respondents agreed while 52.8% strongly agreed that telemedicine offers medical attention while one is in the comfort of his home. Finally, 45% and 47% of the participants respectively agreed and strongly agreed that with telemedicine one does not need to waste a whole day of work just to receive medical attention. In conclusion, the knowledge of telemedicine was high (82.9%) among the Salesmen while the attitude reflected high (93.6%) acceptance. Therefore, there is a need to introduce the use of telemedicine Apps to the Salesmen and also subsidize the applications.