Willingness to Use Telemedicine Among Patients With Chronic Diseases in Northern Jordan: A Qualitative Study

Telemedicine involves using technology to deliver healthcare services and information over long distances, aiming to enhance access, quality, and cost-efficiency. In managing chronic diseases, telemedicine fosters patient engagement in care decisions and supports improved monitoring and early detection of acute symptoms. In Jordan, limited telemedicine initiatives have emerged following the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the willingness of patients with chronic diseases in Jordan to utilize telemedicine and identifies barriers hindering its adoption.

Thirty patients were recruited from Hospital King Abdullah University Hospital in northern Jordan. Participants were shown a videotaped explanation of the telemedicine concept, followed by structured interviews based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). After obtaining informed consent, the interviews were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. A generic qualitative approach was employed. Two researchers independently labeled key phrases and assigned codes, which were then collaboratively grouped into themes and subthemes. Discrepancies were resolved through consensus.

Reported benefits of telemedicine include cost reduction and convenience, improved accessibility to healthcare, enhanced health outcomes, and reduced contagion risk. Identified barriers included technological challenges, the potential for medical errors, limited digital literacy among older adults, socio-cultural sensitivities, and physician adaptability. Of the 30 participants, 25 (83.3%) expressed willingness to use telemedicine, particularly for follow-up and counseling services. Two-thirds (66.7%) were unwilling to use it for emergency care, and 63.3% opposed using it for initial diagnosis. Additionally, greater awareness and a broader pool of healthcare providers were viewed as potential enablers for telemedicine adoption.

Patients' perspectives on telemedicine reveal key opportunities to integrate this technology into chronic disease care in Jordan. Continued care is essential for managing chronic diseases, and telemedicine could play a crucial role if barriers are properly addressed.