Factors Influencing Telemedicine Adoption in Emerging Economies

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Informatics
• Technology Acceptance Models

Background:

• Telemedicine adoption is rapidly increasing, transforming healthcare delivery and accessibility through virtual platforms.
• Understanding patient acceptance is crucial for effective implementation of virtual healthcare services.
• Peruvian women's perspectives on telemedicine are essential for targeted healthcare strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key factors influencing telemedicine service acceptance among women in Peru.
• To apply and validate an extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model.
• To provide insights for promoting telemedicine utilization in Peru.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative correlational design utilizing a survey of 503 Peruvian women.
• Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4 software for data analysis.
• Assessment of measurement and structural models to test hypotheses regarding technology acceptance.

Main Results:

• Performance expectancy, social influence, effort expectancy, and perceived safety were identified as significant predictors of telemedicine use intention.
• The extended UTAUT model demonstrated relevance and reliability in explaining telemedicine adoption.
• Key factors influencing adoption varied within the studied demographic.

Conclusions:

• The study validates the extended UTAUT model for understanding telemedicine adoption among Peruvian women.
• Findings offer practical insights for developing policies and training to enhance telemedicine use.
• Addressing identified factors can improve healthcare accessibility and delivery in Peru.