An Exploration of Intent to Use Telehealth at Home for Patients with Chronic Diseases

Shu-Lin Uei, Yu-Ming Kuo, Chung-Hung Tsai and Yu-Lun Kuo
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Shu-Lin Uei: Department of Telecare, Mennonite Christian Hospital, Hualien City 970, Taiwan
Yu-Ming Kuo: Department of Marketing and Distribution, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien City 970, Taiwan
Chung-Hung Tsai: Department of Health Administration, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien City 970, Taiwan
Yu-Lun Kuo: Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien City 970, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-12

Abstract: Telecare is defined as care practiced at a distance. It is an effective strategy for improving the self-health care management of home-patients with chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the intent to use of telehealth patients. The correlation between the self-care behaviors, the intent to use of telehealth, and the effects on physiological indicators of patients with chronic disease at home were studied. A cross-sectional study design employing purposive sampling was selected. The structured questionnaire ‘Telecare Usage Intention Scale and Self-Care Behavior Scale’ were used, ‘HbA1c, glucose levels and monthly blood pressure measurements’ were analyzed in this thirteen month study. The self-care behaviors of the participants were positively correlated with their intent to use telehealth ( p < 0.01). The results also indicated that HbA1c, glucose levels and frequency BP measurement of the participants improved significantly after using telecare ( p < 0.005). The results indicated a strong intent to use telehealth and positive perception of telecare services by in-home patients with a chronic disease. Telehealth improves the self-care behavior of in-home chronic disease patients and enhances medical professionals’ ability to deliver quality and effective healthcare.

Keywords: telehealth; chronic disease; self-health management; eHealth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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