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Behavioural intentions towards use of digital video consultations in primary care: a survey study on physicians’, nurses’ and psychologists’ perceptions in Swedish primary care

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to describe the experiences of physicians, nurses and psychologists employed in primary care in using digital video consultations. The second objective was to study the association between the predictors of behaviour and behavioural intentions to use digital consultations and to relate underlying behavioural beliefs to experiences of digital consultations in primary care. Overall, the research questions focused on the association between previous training, profession or theory-based behavioural predictors and behavioural intentions to use digital video consultations. DESIGN: A web survey based on the theory of planned behaviour was sent to primary care professionals in western Sweden who had implemented digital video consultations. The questionnaire contained both closed and open-ended questions focusing on theory-based predictors of behavioural intentions, such as as attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Data were analysed with a mixed-methods approach using quantitative and qualitative analyses. PARTICIPANTS: The questionnaire was distributed between June and October 2022 to 140 primary healthcare centres in western Sweden, of which 47 agreed to participate. Overall, the questionnaire was sent out to 969 clinicians, representing physicians, nurses and psychologists. RESULTS: Physicians and nurses had lower experience and less positive attitudes towards digital video consultations compared with psychologists. No statistically significant differences were seen among the groups in behavioural intentions to use digital video consultations. The regression analysis showed that attitude was the strongest predictor of behavioural intentions among primary care physicians, while attitude and perceived behavioural control were associated with behavioural intentions among nurses. No associations between predictors and intentions were found among psychologists. CONCLUSIONS: The medical professionals reported high behavioural intentions to use digital video consultation despite different levels of experience. Attitude and perceived behavioural control were predictors of behavioural intentions among physicians and nurses, indicating that future implementation should consider the professions' participation in the process.

Source: BMJ Open

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082724

Authors: Karl Maack, Fredric Karlsson, Nanna Gillberg, Ewa Wikström, Miriam Pikkemaat, Veronica Milos Nymberg

Institutions: University of Gothenburg, Lund University, Region Skåne

Language: English

Topic: Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,839