Barriers for Telemedicine Use Among Nonusers at the Beginning of the Pandemic

Abstract

Telemedicine has garnered considerably more attention during the COVID-19 pandemic than in any time previously. However, before the beginning of the pandemic, many individuals had not accessed care in this manner. The purpose of this study was to understand the central reasons that individuals had not used telemedicine before the pandemic. Therefore, we conducted a convenience sample survey in March-April 2020, and 539 participants living in the United States answered questions about exploring their reasons for not having used telemedicine. Descriptive statistics and correlations were conducted to analyze the data. Two themes emerged from these data, including the importance of the patient-provider relationship and that access to technology was not the issue for this particular population. Although technology was not a barrier, many, specifically older participants, had concerns over privacy and security. As the world gains some control over the COVID-19 pandemic and medical appointments begin to return to a new normal, the implication for the continued use of telemedicine is still important to address as this will become a standard of care.

Using the Technology Acceptance Model to Characterize Barriers and Opportunities of Telemedicine in Rural Populations: Survey and Interview Study

“…There are several possible explanations for this finding. For example, a recent study found that some individuals had concerns regarding the privacy and security of telemedicine visits [ 19 ]. Perhaps these concerns impacted perceptions of usefulness in this study.…”

Telehealth and Health Equity in Older Adults With Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

“…Rates of each correlate with age, income, ethnicity, rural location, and educational level. 6,[76][77][78] For example, older age and ethnicity were found to significantly predict telehealth use, with older populations from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups adopting telehealth the least, specifically Black and Hispanic individuals >65 years of age. 79 These relationships are significantly intertwined with broader structural and social determinants of health, underscoring the importance of bringing a multilevel lens to telehealth adoption and use to reduce rather than widen disparities in access and outcomes.…”

“…79 These relationships are significantly intertwined with broader structural and social determinants of health, underscoring the importance of bringing a multilevel lens to telehealth adoption and use to reduce rather than widen disparities in access and outcomes. 76,78,80…”

Barriers and facilitators for the adoption of telemedicine services in low-income and middle-income countries: a rapid overview of reviews

“…Due to certain challenges of telemedicine peculiar to low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), there are insufficient healthcare resources available and are yet unevenly distributed due to the rural–urban divide 22. LMICs are characterised by a wider gap between the high-income earners and low-income earners with the latter constituting the larger percentage of the population 23. The disparity in these challenges denies particular population’s access to telemedicine services based on income, ethnicity, literacy and others 24…”

“…Telemedicine has shown potential in salvaging the dwindling healthcare system in LMICs but faced certain challenges that may create new health inequalities especially based on income 23. The health system framework as proposed by WHO describes the entire system under of six core ‘building blocks’ namely service delivery; health workforce; health information systems; access to essential medicines; financing and leadership/governance 25.…”