Telemedicine for Patient Consultation: Factors affecting Use by Rural Primary-Care Physicians in Kansas
- 1 September 1995
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare
- Vol. 1 (3), 139-144
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633x9500100303
Abstract
The purpose of our study was to investigate knowledge of, attitudes to, and use of interactive telemedicine for specialist consultation among rural practitioners in Kansas. We interviewed 28 rural primary-care practitioners at seven remote health-care facilities in six locations. Content analyses of the interviews showed universal but superficial knowledge of telemedicine, appreciation of the value of the technology, but relatively low usage of the telemedicine service available (32% of subjects). Physicians did not appear to be afraid of change. Telemedicine usage was not related to the professional characteristics of the physicians. Our findings suggest that further growth in the use of telemedicine will depend on efforts directed towards physicians which are aimed at creating a more user-friendly environment and at accommodating the referral practices of potential users.This publication has 8 references indexed in Scilit:
- Telemedicine: fad or future?The Lancet, 1995
- Delivery of Health Care to the Underserved: Potential Contributions of Telecommunications TechnologyMayo Clinic Proceedings, 1994
- General practitioner referral rates.BMJ, 1988
- Explaining Variation in General Practitioner Referrals to HospitalFamily Practice, 1987
- Diffusion of surgical technology: An exploratory studyJournal of Health Economics, 1986
- The Rate of Adoption of New Procedures Among Physicians The Impact of Specialty and Practice CharacteristicsMedical Care, 1985
- Prospective reimbursement and the diffusion of new technologies in hospitalsJournal of Health Economics, 1984
- Social science research on medical technology: Utility and limitationsSocial Science & Medicine (1982), 1983