Specialist Physicians’ Perspectives about Telemedicine and Barriers to Using it in Tabriz Teaching Hospitals

Abstract

Background: New technologies change different fields including medicine. One of these technologies is telemedicine. Telemedicine can improve equity of access to health care and enhance the quality of care. Evaluation of physicians’ knowledge and attitude has a key role in acceptance of this technology. The aim of this study was to assess the specialist physicians’ perspectives about telemedicine and barriers in Tabriz teaching hospitals. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross sectional that was done in 2017. This study was done by using a questionnaire that consists of 4 sections (Knowledge, Attitude, Barriers and usage rate). 117 specialist physicians of Tabriz teaching hospitals were selected based on convenience sampling method and participated. Results: Knowledge of %33.55 of physicians about telemedicine was low. About %68 of physicians believed that using telemedicine has caused an improvement in health service. %45.3 of physicians used telemedicine that the most used related to consultation by telephone. Lack of culture for usage of telemedicine, lack of knowledge about this technology and lack of facilities were important barriers of establishing telemedicine. Conclusion: This study was showed the Knowledge and usage rate of Specialist Physicians about telemedicine was low and acceptance rate of telemedicine was high. For eliminating of barriers and appropriate implementing of this technology, specialist physicians require comprehensive education for orientation with telemedicine services and also essential infrastructures including culturaland technical ones must be fully prepared.

Keywords

• Telemedicine
• Knowledge
• Attitude
• Barriers
• Specialist Physicians