Examining the Telehealth Readiness Among Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis.

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Neurology
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Telehealth tools offer significant potential for improving health information access and self-management among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Successful integration of telehealth services hinges on patient acceptance, which is significantly influenced by their Technology Readiness Level (TRL).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the technology readiness of individuals with MS for telehealth services.
• To identify factors influencing the adoption of telehealth among the MS population.

Main Methods:

• A two-part questionnaire was administered to 120 participants, collecting demographic information and assessing readiness for telehealth using the Technology Readiness Index (TRI 2.0).
• The TRI 2.0 evaluated readiness across four scales: optimism, innovativeness, insecurity, and discomfort.
• Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Main Results:

• The overall mean readiness score was significantly above the midpoint (3.266), with optimism (3.633) and innovativeness (3.273) also scoring high.
• Scores for insecurity (3.031) and discomfort (3.127) were not statistically significant, indicating a neutral stance.
• No significant associations were found between technology readiness and demographic or disease-related factors.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with MS demonstrate a generally positive readiness for telehealth, particularly in optimism and innovativeness.
• Despite positive overall readiness, addressing potential insecurity and discomfort is crucial for widespread telehealth adoption.
• Targeted interventions are recommended to enhance patient engagement and optimize the use of telehealth tools in multiple sclerosis management.