Management of Overcrowding in OPDs of Public Hospitals using Health Information Technology: An Evaluation of Telemedicine Technology using UTAUT Model in Tertiary Care Public Hospitals in Pakistan

Abstract

The healthcare around the globe is neither equitable nor proficient.  The technologically advanced countries have now incorporated IT sector for sustainable delivery of efficient healthcare delivery. Empirical findings suggest that Telemedicine have the potential to be raised as institutionalized healthcare delivery mechanism for underprivileged communities. However, technical and logistical issues, organizational resources, healthcare users’ perceptions and lack of applicable strategies remain the main contributors of failed telemedicine projects. Literature exists regarding evaluation of telemedicine in developed as well as developing countries. However, studies exploring Telemedicine in public health sector in Pakistan are nonexistent. To study this research gap, researchers in this study have analyzed UTAUT with additional constructs in the social context of Pakistan. Two multi-item questionnaires separately for healthcare providers and seekers derived from previous studies are used to assemble information from a sample constituting 427 healthcare providers and 554 healthcare seekers. Statistical techniques of correlation & regression analysis and sample t-test using PLS-SEM are employed as required. The results of this study confirmed Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Cost Effectiveness, E-Health Literacy positively related to Behavioral Intention and Actual Use of Telemedicine which in turn augments Healthcare Seekers Satisfaction and Healthcare Providers Clinical Productivity. The role of e-Health Readiness and moderation of Implementation Leadership on Performance Expectancy to generate Behavioral Intention needs further evaluation.  The hypotheses and the conceptual model, in general are empirically validated.

Key Words:  E-Health; Telemedicine; Healthcare delivery; UTAUT Model.