Telemedicine Adoption in India: Identifying Factors Affecting Intention to Use

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic mandates the transformation of the traditional healthcare delivery model from facility-based to virtual care worldwide. The use of technology in delivering healthcare has always been debated and faces challenges as patients as well as providers are often resistive to change. To date, studies focusing on one's intention to use technology have gained significant research attention. Using the technology adoption model as a research framework, a sample of 336 individuals within the age group of 18-70 years were surveyed via online to understand their intention to use telemedicine. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings suggest that perceived ease of use is a significant determinant of one's intention to use telemedicine vis-a-vis its effect on perceived usefulness and attitude towards telemedicine use. The attitude towards telemedicine is significantly affected by privacy concerns and outcome beliefs. The study results have implications for health policymakers and others when implementing telemedicine for today's healthcare delivery.