Need for remote medical examination and treatment of people coming for examination at University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh in 2023

Abstract

The healthcare needs of individuals are constantly evolving, and with the advancement of technology, telemedicine has emerged as an increasingly popular approach for remote telemedicine. Telemedicine offers benefits such as saving time, and reducing healthcare costs. This study aimed to describe situation of the need for telemedicine among outpatients at University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2023, involving direct interviews with 308 outpatients at University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City. The results revealed that 74.0% of outpatients attending the University Medical Center at Ho Chi Minh City, expressed a demand for telemedicine. Additionally, 40,9% of the participants reported previous exposure to telemedicine. The influencing factors include healthcare professionals’ capabilities and experience in treating patients, customer care services, reduced travel time, the duration of interactions between healthcare professionals and patients, and cost savings. The findings indicate a relatively high demand for telemedicine. However, the awareness and actual utilization of telemedicine services do not correspond well to this demand, resulting in a lower-than-expected usage rate.