Characterizing Telehealth Barriers and Preferences to Promote Acceptable Implementation Strategies in Central Uganda:...

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Digital Health
• Healthcare Access

Background:

• Telehealth offers solutions for healthcare access barriers in resource-limited settings.
• Limited telehealth adoption in Africa stems from a lack of understanding effective implementation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate barriers and facilitators for telehealth implementation among healthcare providers and patients in Central Uganda.
• To inform strategies for successful telehealth adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Main Methods:

• Surveys collected data on telehealth perceptions, barriers, and preferences from 61 providers and 91 patients in Central Uganda (Jan-Jul 2022).
• The technology acceptance model guided survey development, assessing perceived usefulness, ease of use, and attitudes.
• Descriptive statistics and t tests analyzed telehealth perceptions and differences based on provider and patient characteristics.

Main Results:

• 79% of providers had used telehealth, with generally favorable perceptions; 93.4% saw value, but only 49.2% found it more efficient.
• Provider-reported barriers included patient technology challenges (26%), low patient engagement (19%), and lack of support (18%).
• Only 19.8% of patients had used telehealth; 89% reported time savings, but 33.3% felt uncomfortable and 43.8% had confidentiality concerns.

Conclusions:

• Telehealth perceptions are favorable, particularly among providers, but patient barriers like technology and comfort need addressing.
• Addressing technology challenges, infrastructure, and implementation support is crucial for widespread telehealth adoption.
• Findings can guide the implementation of acceptable telehealth solutions to overcome healthcare access disparities in Sub-Saharan Africa.