Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2024 | Telemedicine | Systematic Review
Attitudes towards Telemedicine Services and Associated Factors among health professionals in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2024
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Background
Telemedicine is a vital tool for improving healthcare delivery in Ethiopia, where geographic, economic, and infrastructural challenges limit access to care, particularly in rural areas. With a shortage of healthcare professionals and limited medical services, telemedicine offers a solution by enabling remote consultations and continuous monitoring, extending healthcare to underserved populations. However, the successful adoption of telemedicine depends largely on the attitudes of healthcare professionals, whose acceptance and use of the technology are crucial for its integration. This study reviews the factors influencing Ethiopian health professionals’ attitudes toward telemedicine to provide insights that can support its adoption and improve healthcare delivery in the country.
Methods
Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of studies on telemedicine attitudes, initially identifying 15,900 articles. After screening, 5 full-text articles were selected for inclusion. The data were analyzed using STATA version 11, where heterogeneity was assessed using the I² test, and publication bias was evaluated through funnel plots and Egger’s regression. The pooled effect size was calculated using a random-effects model, with a 95% confidence interval to ensure the robustness and precision of the findings.
Results
The finding that 53.42% (95% CI: 42.02–64.83) of Ethiopian health professionals hold positive attitudes towards telemedicine suggests a moderate level of acceptance. Factors associated with these positive attitudes included receiving computer training in telemedicine (AOR 4.47, 95% CI: 1.94–10.26), possessing advanced digital literacy (AOR 4.08, 95% CI: 1.30–12.81), comprehensive knowledge of telemedicine technology (AOR 3.28, 95% CI: 1.73–6.23), access to reliable internet (AOR 3.04, 95% CI: 1.67–5.53), and availability of electronic devices in healthcare settings (AOR 2.59, 95% CI: 1.73–3.87).
Conclusion and recommendations
This meta-analysis reveals that 53.42% of Ethiopian health professionals hold positive attitudes towards telemedicine, influenced by specialized training, digital literacy, and resource access. To enhance adoption, initiatives should focus on targeted training, reliable internet connectivity, availability of devices in healthcare settings, and promoting broader awareness about telemedicine benefits and applications among healthcare professionals.
