Usage and Preference of Mobile Telemedicine Applications by Undergraduates in Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Telemedicine has made the healthcare field to witness rapid transformation driven by technological advancements in recent times. Telemedicine has gained prominence as it has emerged as a viable solution to overcome geographical barriers, improve access to healthcare, and enhance patient outcomes due to the accessibility and convenience it gives to the users. Telemedicine mobile applications have gained popularity among undergraduate students of Southeast Nigeria as they give the students services pertaining to their health without visiting physical healthcare facilities. Hence, this study sets out to examine the usage and preference of mobile telemedicine applications by undergraduates in Southeast Nigeria. Anchored on technological determinism theory (TDT), the study adopted survey as its research method to elicit data from 361 undergraduates in the Southeast that were randomly selected. Google Form questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection. Findings reveal that a notable proportion of undergraduates in the Southeast use these telemedicine mobile apps with Doctoora as the most utilized and preferred app while majority of them do not use them or uncertain about their usage. The study however advocates the need for more awareness and education of these mobile telemedicine apps and therefore recommends that institutions should launch campaigns to educate students about the benefits and functionalities of telemedicine mobile apps to enhance its utilization and preference.