Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Human Factors
Date Submitted: Apr 3, 2024
Date Accepted: Sep 5, 2024
Date Submitted to PubMed: Sep 5, 2024
The Utilization of Mobile Healthcare Among Medical Professionals in the Sichuan-Chongqing Region: A Cross-sectional Survey
ABSTRACT
Background:
The emergence and integration of mobile healthcare technology have fundamentally transformed the healthcare industry, providing unprecedented opportunities to improve healthcare services and professional practice. Despite its immense potential, the adoption of mobile healthcare technology among healthcare professionals remains uneven, particularly in developing regions.
Objective:
This study aims to explore the usage and influencing factors of mobile healthcare among healthcare professionals in the Sichuan-Chongqing region of China and make recommendations.
Methods:
Convenience sampling was used in a cross-sectional study conducted from November 8th to November 14th, 2023, to survey frontline clinical healthcare professionals in five district-level public hospitals in the Sichuan-Chongqing region. An online questionnaire was used to investigate the usage of mobile healthcare and its influencing factors among the participants. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression analysis were employed in the study.
Results:
A total of 550 valid questionnaires were completed. Among the surveyed healthcare professionals, only 18.7% used mobile healthcare, with a satisfaction rate of only 50.5%. 81.3% did not use any form of mobile healthcare. The age group of 30-39 was found to be a significant factor influencing the use of mobile healthcare by healthcare professionals (P =0.034). The main reasons for not using mobile healthcare among healthcare professionals were: lack of appropriate technical training and support (59.5%), lack of suitable management-specific apps (45.6%), and concerns about increased workload (40.3%). There were significant differences in the single-factor analysis of the reasons for non-use of mobile healthcare among healthcare professionals from different specialties (P=0.036). Logistic regression analysis indicated that age was the only significant factor influencing the use of mobile healthcare by healthcare professionals (P =0.035).
Conclusions:
The utilization rate of mobile healthcare among healthcare professionals in the Sichuan-Chongqing region is low. Age is a significant factor that influences whether healthcare professionals use mobile healthcare. Providing appropriate technical training and support may help improve the enthusiasm of healthcare professionals in using mobile healthcare.
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