Acceptance of information and communication technologies for healthcare delivery: a SingHealth polyclinics study
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of short message system (SMS) and
internet usage in patients visiting the SingHealth Polyclinics and to measure patients’ acceptance
of using these technologies in healthcare delivery. Materials and Methods: A representative
sample of patients visiting the 9 SingHealth Polyclinics were interviewed in-person by trained
medical students. Collected information included demographic characteristics, access to and
usage of mobile phone/SMS and internet, as well as acceptance and concerns on using these
technologies in primary healthcare delivery. Results: Among 705 patients surveyed (mean age:
54.6 years, female: 50.6%, response rate: 92%), 407 (57.7%) were SMS users and 158 (22.4%)
were internet users. Two hundred and eighty-four of 412 SMS and/or internet users (40.3% of
the entire sample) were comfortable with the use of these technologies in healthcare delivery.
Malay or Indian ethnicity, better education, and visiting the clinic for acute symptoms or
screening were factors positively associated with willingness to use such technologies. The main
concerns associated with the use of SMS and internet in healthcare delivery were preference for
in-person consultation with a doctor (23.5%), reduced patient-doctor interaction (23.0%), and
increased healthcare cost (20.8%). Conclusion: The present prevalence of SMS and internet
usage among patients visiting the SingHealth Polyclinics and their concerns towards use of these
technologies in healthcare delivery do not support current widespread implementation of
services entailing SMS and internet in the study sites
internet usage in patients visiting the SingHealth Polyclinics and to measure patients’ acceptance
of using these technologies in healthcare delivery. Materials and Methods: A representative
sample of patients visiting the 9 SingHealth Polyclinics were interviewed in-person by trained
medical students. Collected information included demographic characteristics, access to and
usage of mobile phone/SMS and internet, as well as acceptance and concerns on using these
technologies in primary healthcare delivery. Results: Among 705 patients surveyed (mean age:
54.6 years, female: 50.6%, response rate: 92%), 407 (57.7%) were SMS users and 158 (22.4%)
were internet users. Two hundred and eighty-four of 412 SMS and/or internet users (40.3% of
the entire sample) were comfortable with the use of these technologies in healthcare delivery.
Malay or Indian ethnicity, better education, and visiting the clinic for acute symptoms or
screening were factors positively associated with willingness to use such technologies. The main
concerns associated with the use of SMS and internet in healthcare delivery were preference for
in-person consultation with a doctor (23.5%), reduced patient-doctor interaction (23.0%), and
increased healthcare cost (20.8%). Conclusion: The present prevalence of SMS and internet
usage among patients visiting the SingHealth Polyclinics and their concerns towards use of these
technologies in healthcare delivery do not support current widespread implementation of
services entailing SMS and internet in the study sites
Date Issued
2009-06-15
Date Acceptance
2009-06-01
Citation
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 2009, 38 (6), pp.529-536
ISSN
0304-4602
Publisher
Academy of Medicine Singapore
Start Page
529
End Page
536
Journal / Book Title
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
Volume
38
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License.
Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.v38n6p529
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2009-06-15