Factors Influencing Telemedicine Usage Intentions: A Comparative Study in Gynecology and Pediatrics.

Abstract

Introduction: Telemedicine has seen rapid growth, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, providing diverse options for patient care. This study, grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model, examines and compares factors influencing women's usage intentions of telemedicine, considering their roles as both direct patients in gynecology and indirect patients in pediatrics. Methods: The study conducted a survey to collect data from women who have used telemedicine services (N = 758). Structural equation modeling was employed to assess the relationships between variables, including previous satisfaction, social media health content consumption, perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), trust, and future usage intention. Results: The results demonstrate that social media health content consumption, PEOU, PU, and trust in telemedicine have significant direct effects on future usage intention. PEOU and trust mediate the relationships between social media consumption, previous satisfaction, and future usage intention. Notably, the study reveals differences in the factors influencing telemedicine usage between pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology. Social media health content consumption positively affects usage intention for gynecological but not for pediatric. Trust in telemedicine significantly enhances usage intentions for gynecology but not for pediatrics. Conclusions: The findings reveal disparities in telemedicine usage patterns between obstetrics/gynecology and pediatrics. Practical implications suggest that telemedicine platforms should leverage social media to enhance health education and provide clear guidance, particularly for gynecological services. In addition, strengthening patient privacy protections is essential to build trust and promote telemedicine adoption.