Preference and Awareness of Telemedicine in Primary Care Patients.
10.4082/kjfm.2012.33.1.25
- Author:
Sung Gwon JUNG
1
;
Hyuk Jung KWEON
;
Eun Tae KIM
;
Seun Ah KIM
;
Jae Kyung CHOI
;
Dong Yung CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. fmkhj@korea.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Telemedicine;
Awareness;
Patient Preference
- MeSH:
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Health Promotion;
Humans;
Jurisprudence;
Korea;
Occupations;
Patient Preference;
Primary Health Care;
Social Control, Formal;
Telemedicine
- From:Korean Journal of Family Medicine
2012;33(1):25-33
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The telemedicine services in Korea are expected to rapidly expand its use to the general population due to the development of digital networking, and its recent revision of related law and regulations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitude of telemedicine in primary care patients. METHODS: We enrolled a total 243 participants, visited Family Medicine clinics and health promotion centers of university hospital in Seoul metrocity and Chungju city from April 1, 2010 to May 31, 2010. Data was collected by questionnaire, including demographic variables, knowledge and attitude of telemedicine. RESULTS: Among the total of 243 participants, 117 (49.8%) respondents were aware of telemedicine, and 178 (73.3%) respondents preferred telemedicine. The awareness showed differences according to the residence (P = 0.007), education (P = 0.03), and occupation (P = 0.02) of the respondents. The patient preference showed the differences at 50 years of age (P = 0.01) and in income of the participants (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Awareness of telemedicine in primary care patients was low. As for the patients more than 50 years of age who will be having difficulty manipulating the instruments, more education is crucial. Establishment of appropriate plans to increase patient preference is needed, especially for patients with low-incomes.
