Embracing telepharmacy: Unveiling Malaysians' perceptions and knowledge through online survey

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Pharmaceutical Services
• Health Technology Adoption

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote services, including telehealth.
• Telepharmacy, a component of telehealth, provides remote pharmaceutical care, enhancing patient access to consultations and advice.
• Understanding public perception and awareness is crucial for the successful integration of telepharmacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate public awareness and perceptions of telepharmacy in Malaysia.
• To assess the digital readiness and willingness of Malaysian citizens to adopt telepharmacy services.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to May 2023.
• Data were collected from 387 Malaysian adults using Google Forms distributed via social media.
• Surveys covered demographics, technological readiness, awareness, perceptions, and willingness to use telepharmacy.

Main Results:

• Respondents demonstrated high digital readiness, with widespread smartphone ownership and digital literacy.
• Awareness of telepharmacy as a concept was notably low among participants.
• Perceptions of telepharmacy were generally positive, but only 48.1% expressed willingness to use the services.

Conclusions:

• Despite high digital readiness, a significant knowledge gap exists regarding telepharmacy in Malaysia.
• Positive perceptions do not fully translate into a high willingness to adopt telepharmacy services.
• Targeted educational initiatives are recommended to bridge the knowledge gap and enhance telepharmacy acceptance.