Exploration of telemedicine acceptance among greek patients with musculoskeletal disordershealthcare system: The effect of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics

Abstract

Telemedicine expands access and has the potential to make healthcare services more convenient for patients, especially those in rural areas, with young children (childcare), and with mobility limitations. The aim of the present study is to explore the level of telemedicine acceptance among Greek patients with musculoskeletal disorders as well as the effect of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics on telemedicine acceptance. A cohort of 120 patients was recruited from two centers in Greece, a private physiotherapy clinic in the broader area of Athens and a public open social structure that hosts elderly people diagnosed with musculoskeletal disorders in the area of Patra. From this cohort, 117 patients provided full data on the variables studied. In order to evaluate telemedicine acceptance, we used an instrument consisted of 35 items across 12 dimensions. These dimensions were namely the following: perceived convenience PC perceived outcome PO perceived medical risk PMR perceived information risk PIR emotional preference EP perceived medical liability PML attitude toward the behavior ATTB subjective norm SN health consciousness HN perceived severity of disease PSD perceived behavioral control PBC behavioral intention BI. A positive and statistically significant correlation of age to perceived medical risk (r= 0.538, p= <0.001) was found. Also, a negative and statistically significant correlation of years of treatment to perceived behavioral control (r= -0.244, p= 0.008) and behavioral intention (r= -0.240, p= 0.009). The present study demonstrates the crucial role that sociodemographic and clinical characteristics play in telemedicine acceptance among Greek patients with musculoskeletal disorders.