JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Healthcare access issues have long plagued rural Americans. One approach to alleviate the challenges and poor health outcomes for rural individuals is through the use of telehealth. While telehealth has been around for decades, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the growth and awareness of the service. It is important to understand factors that may be related to telehealth adoption or non-adoption, particularly in underserved rural settings.

Objective:

This pilot study examines telehealth perceptions among rural, underserved populations using the TAM as a framework to explore adoption of telemedicine services of those who have used it. The study also explores the differences between user’s and non-user’s perceptions of telehealth.

Methods:

Paper surveys and phone interviews were completed by individuals in rural Northern Michigan.

Results:

Results suggest that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use explained 91% of the variability in attitude toward telehealth [R2 = .91, F(1,15) = 73.406, p<.001]. Ease of use was a significant predictor (M = 2.36, SD = 1.20, p<.001), but usefulness (M = 3.16, SD = .81, p=.20) was not. Furthermore, there were significant different in individual perceptions of telehealth between users and non-users. For example, non-users believed they would receive better care in-person (Users: M = 3.30, SD = 1.22; Non-Users: M = 1.91, SD = 1.14, F(1, 32) = 10.126, p = .003). The quantitative findings were reinforced with the qualitative results from the phone interviews.

Conclusions:

Overall, TAM is an appropriate model to view the attitudes toward telehealth that may lead to its adoption by rural Americans.