Acceptance of information and communication technologies for healthcare delivery: a SingHealth Polyclinics study

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of short message system (SMS) and internet usage in patients visiting the SingHealth Polyclinics and to measure patients' acceptance of using these technologies in healthcare delivery.

A representative sample of patients visiting the 9 SingHealth Polyclinics were interviewed in-person by trained medical students. Collected information included demographic characteristics, access to and usage of mobile phone/SMS and internet, as well as acceptance and concerns on using these technologies in primary healthcare delivery.

Among 705 patients surveyed (mean age: 54.6 years, female: 50.6%, response rate: 92%), 407 (57.7%) were SMS users and 158 (22.4%) were internet users. Two hundred and eighty-four of 412 SMS and/or internet users (40.3% of the entire sample) were comfortable with the use of these technologies in healthcare delivery. Malay or Indian ethnicity, better education, and visiting the clinic for acute symptoms or screening were factors positively associated with willingness to use such technologies. The main concerns associated with the use of SMS and internet in healthcare delivery were preference for in-person consultation with a doctor (23.5%), reduced patient-doctor interaction (23.0%), and increased healthcare cost (20.8%).

The present prevalence of SMS and internet usage among patients visiting the SingHealth Polyclinics and their concerns towards use of these technologies in healthcare delivery do not support current widespread implementation of services entailing SMS and internet in the study sites.