Factors Associated With Minorities’ Use of Telehealth During COVID-19

Abstract

Background:

COVID-19 affected the ability of minorities to access healthcare services.

Objective:

We sought to explore factors associated with perceived usefulness of telehealth, perceived ease of use, attitude toward telehealth, behavioral intention to use telehealth, and actual use of telehealth among minority individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method:

A descriptive exploratory design was used with a sample of 43 minority individuals living in the Midwest United States who used telehealth within the last 12 months. The theoretical framework guiding this study was the technology acceptance model.

Results:

Forty-three individuals living in the community completed the survey, with the majority identifying as female and African American. Those with a bachelor’s degree or less had lower perceived usefulness of using telehealth than those with a master’s degree (t_[41] = −3.01, P < .01). Participants who accessed telehealth through a smartphone or regular cell phone perceived the usefulness of telehealth significantly higher (t_[41] = 2.04, P < .05) than those who used other methods. Older participants reported less perceived of ease of use of telehealth than their younger counterparts (r = −0.33, P < .05). Perceived usefulness, ease of use, attitude, and behavioral intention to use telehealth were positively correlated (P < .001).

Conclusion:

Age, educational level, and method of accessing telehealth services were associated with perceived usefulness and ease of use by study participants. Additional research is recommended.