A model of the willingness to use telemedicine for routine and specialized care

Abstract

We examined factors associated with the willingness to use telemedicine for routine and specialized care within a theoretical framework. The conceptual model proposed that willingness to use telemedicine is associated directly with attitudes to telemedicine, attitudes to the patient–physician relationship, and to satisfaction with current health-care. In addition, technology anxiety and past behaviour were both assumed to affect willingness to use telemedicine indirectly. Telephone interviews were conducted with a national sample of 1204 Jewish, non-institutionalized adults in Israel. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships. Participants were more willing to use telemedicine for routine than for specialized care. Overall, willingness to use telemedicine was affected by attitudes to telemedicine, attitudes to the patient–physician relationship and by level of technology anxiety. Educational interventions aimed at encouraging the use of telemedicine should target potential users' attitudes, as well as feelings of uneasiness and anxiety regarding technology.