Telemedicine utilization and digital inclusion among people with disabilities in Saudi Arabia: post-pandemic...

People with disabilities face substantial barriers to accessing healthcare services, particularly in regions with limited physical and digital infrastructure. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of telemedicine utilization among individuals with disabilities in Saudi Arabia, identify key associated factors of its adoption, and explore the main barriers to its use.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2024 and April 2025 among 488 individuals with disabilities from Saudi Arabia. Participants were assessed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) for functional limitations and the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ-21) to evaluate telemedicine experience and satisfaction. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews conducted by trained healthcare professionals. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with telemedicine use.

Among the 488 participants, only 25.4% (n = 124) reported using telemedicine service. WHODAS scores were significantly higher among individuals who did not use telemedicine (mean ± SD: 2.55 ± 1.08) compared to users (mean ± SD: 2.49 ± 1.00). Higher education levels and urban residence were significantly associated with telemedicine utilization, while being widowed was associated with lower use. Psychological conditions showed the strongest association with telemedicine use (χ ² = 45.915, p < 0.001). Major barriers included a preference for in-person visits (81.9%), lack of familiarity with telehealth (27.2%), and limited provider availability (22.0%).

Despite favorable perceptions of privacy and ease of use, telemedicine adoption among people with disabilities in Saudi Arabia remains low. Enhancing digital literacy, provider capacity, and service availability is critical to expanding access.