Understanding telemedicine adoption: evidence, gaps, and future perspectives for sustainable healthcare

Abstract

AbstractTelemedicine has expanded significantly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides medical care remotely and has proven beneficial for remote areas. However, a lack of internet access hinders its adoption. Its significance is emphasized in child care and rural areas. Research gaps persist, such as a deficiency in systematic evaluations of its effectiveness in comparison to traditional medical care. The main goal is to identify the primary theories of telemedicine adoption in scientific literature. Following PRISMA guidelines, we carefully selected a dataset of 18 relevant documents from Scopus and Web of Science. Our analysis reveals the chronological distribution of publications, highlights influential researchers, and tracks keyword trends. By identifying prevalent theoretical models and frequently used variables, this study offers insights into the methodological landscape of telemedicine adoption research. The resulting research agenda not only underscores current gaps but also offers recommendations for future research directions, contributing to the evolving discourse on this vital topic, catalyzed by the pandemic’s impact on telemedicine adoption.

Keywords

• Telemedicine
• systematic review
• sustainability
• E-health
• technology
• Guangchao Charles Feng, School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong