Patient perspectives and utilization of telemedicine for chronic conditions in Pakistan barriers and facilitators towards its access
Abstract Background Telemedicine, utilizing technology for remote healthcare, offers promise for chronic disease management. It enables virtual consultations, addressing geographical barriers and mobility limitations. This study explores patient perspectives on using telemedicine, particularly via s...
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| Format: | Article |
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Springer
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Discover Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00409-9 |
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| author | Muhammad Muzzamil Mahek Karim Sara Saeed Khurram Iffat Zafar Aga Shahkamal Hashmi Hina Gul Hassan Yasha Younus |
| author_facet | Muhammad Muzzamil Mahek Karim Sara Saeed Khurram Iffat Zafar Aga Shahkamal Hashmi Hina Gul Hassan Yasha Younus |
| author_sort | Muhammad Muzzamil |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Telemedicine, utilizing technology for remote healthcare, offers promise for chronic disease management. It enables virtual consultations, addressing geographical barriers and mobility limitations. This study explores patient perspectives on using telemedicine, particularly via smartphones, to improve access, continuity of care, and ultimately reduce chronic disease burden. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from February 1, 2024, to April 1, 2024, to examine telemedicine consultations. The investigation was conducted at the Sehat Kahani head office, where 460 persons with chronic diseases were recruited. These participants were initially identified by Electronic Health Records (EHR) of Sehat Kahani and subsequently registered following randomization through systematic random sampling. Results This study investigated telemedicine perceptions among 450 chronic disease patients (74.2% female, avg. age 40.6). Over 85.5% agreed on the necessity of telemedicine for chronic care. Notably, higher education, income ≥ 25,000 PKR, and health insurance significantly correlated with telemedicine use. And a larger portion of participants expressed positive perceptions of TM services in terms of faster medical care delivery (n = 369, 82%). These findings underscore telemedicine's potential to revolutionize chronic disease management. Conclusion The study found that chronic disease patients in Pakistan have a positive opinion of telemedicine. Variables such as educational attainment, financial resources, and access to insurance exerted a substantial impact on the utilization of telemedicine. This implies that efforts should be made to mitigate inequalities in order to promote broader acceptance and implementation of telemedicine. Telemedicine shows potential for enhancing the management of chronic diseases in Pakistan. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e2efe3437b0842328c3577373c782c74 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 3005-0774 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-e2efe3437b0842328c3577373c782c742025-02-02T12:09:02ZengSpringerDiscover Public Health3005-07742025-01-0122111510.1186/s12982-025-00409-9Patient perspectives and utilization of telemedicine for chronic conditions in Pakistan barriers and facilitators towards its accessMuhammad Muzzamil0Mahek Karim1Sara Saeed Khurram2Iffat Zafar Aga3Shahkamal Hashmi4Hina Gul Hassan5Yasha Younus6Department of Public Health & Digital Health, Sehat Kahani C/O Community Innovation HubDepartment of Public Health & Digital Health, Sehat Kahani C/O Community Innovation HubDepartment of Public Health & Digital Health, Sehat Kahani C/O Community Innovation HubDepartment of Public Health & Digital Health, Sehat Kahani C/O Community Innovation HubZiauddin College of Public HealthDepartment of Public Health & Digital Health, Sehat Kahani C/O Community Innovation HubDepartment of Public Health & Digital Health, Sehat Kahani C/O Community Innovation HubAbstract Background Telemedicine, utilizing technology for remote healthcare, offers promise for chronic disease management. It enables virtual consultations, addressing geographical barriers and mobility limitations. This study explores patient perspectives on using telemedicine, particularly via smartphones, to improve access, continuity of care, and ultimately reduce chronic disease burden. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from February 1, 2024, to April 1, 2024, to examine telemedicine consultations. The investigation was conducted at the Sehat Kahani head office, where 460 persons with chronic diseases were recruited. These participants were initially identified by Electronic Health Records (EHR) of Sehat Kahani and subsequently registered following randomization through systematic random sampling. Results This study investigated telemedicine perceptions among 450 chronic disease patients (74.2% female, avg. age 40.6). Over 85.5% agreed on the necessity of telemedicine for chronic care. Notably, higher education, income ≥ 25,000 PKR, and health insurance significantly correlated with telemedicine use. And a larger portion of participants expressed positive perceptions of TM services in terms of faster medical care delivery (n = 369, 82%). These findings underscore telemedicine's potential to revolutionize chronic disease management. Conclusion The study found that chronic disease patients in Pakistan have a positive opinion of telemedicine. Variables such as educational attainment, financial resources, and access to insurance exerted a substantial impact on the utilization of telemedicine. This implies that efforts should be made to mitigate inequalities in order to promote broader acceptance and implementation of telemedicine. Telemedicine shows potential for enhancing the management of chronic diseases in Pakistan.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00409-9Chronic diseaseHealthcare deliveryLMIC’sMHealthTelemedicine |
| spellingShingle | Muhammad Muzzamil Mahek Karim Sara Saeed Khurram Iffat Zafar Aga Shahkamal Hashmi Hina Gul Hassan Yasha Younus Patient perspectives and utilization of telemedicine for chronic conditions in Pakistan barriers and facilitators towards its access Discover Public Health Chronic disease Healthcare delivery LMIC’s MHealth Telemedicine |
| title | Patient perspectives and utilization of telemedicine for chronic conditions in Pakistan barriers and facilitators towards its access |
| title_full | Patient perspectives and utilization of telemedicine for chronic conditions in Pakistan barriers and facilitators towards its access |
| title_fullStr | Patient perspectives and utilization of telemedicine for chronic conditions in Pakistan barriers and facilitators towards its access |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patient perspectives and utilization of telemedicine for chronic conditions in Pakistan barriers and facilitators towards its access |
| title_short | Patient perspectives and utilization of telemedicine for chronic conditions in Pakistan barriers and facilitators towards its access |
| title_sort | patient perspectives and utilization of telemedicine for chronic conditions in pakistan barriers and facilitators towards its access |
| topic | Chronic disease Healthcare delivery LMIC’s MHealth Telemedicine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00409-9 |
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