Influencing Factors of Telemedicine Service Adoption in Post-Pandemic Bangladesh

In the post-pandemic period, telemedicine services are a new
addition to health sectors that facilitate bridging the gap for patients in
rural and marginalized areas. The study aims to comprehend the different
influential factors associated with adopting telemedicine services in
Bangladesh. The study developed several hypotheses from two technology
acceptance models, including the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of
Technology 2 (UTAUT2) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). An explanatory
research design was followed using a quantitative approach. The study developed
a semi-structured questionnaire to collect primary data. It used Partial Least
Squares-Structure Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to identify influential factors
in adopting telemedicine services in Bangladesh. Key findings indicate that
trust (β = 0.469, p < 0.001) and perceived usefulness (β = 0.418, p <
0.001) are the strongest predictors of behavioral intention to use
telemedicine. Perceived ease of use (β = 0.325, p < 0.05) also significantly
impacts adoption, emphasizing the importance of user-friendly interfaces.
However, resistance to use didn’t find any significant relationship with
behavioral intention (β = 0.046, p > 0.05), suggesting that the urgency
created by the COVID-19 pandemic may have overridden previous resistance to
telemedicine. The study also highlights the negative influence of perceived
risk (β = 0.286, p < 0.05) and technology anxiety (β = 0.242, p < 0.05)
on adoption, pointing to concerns about data security and digital literacy.
Surprisingly, social influence (p < 0.05) and facilitating conditions (p <
0.05) haven’t found any significant impacts on the behavioral intention to use
telemedicine. This research underscores the importance of addressing security
concerns, improving digital literacy, and enhancing the user-friendliness of
telemedicine platforms to promote widespread adoption from the implication
perspective. These insights are critical for policymakers and healthcare
providers aiming to take immediate policy-level initiatives to expand telemedicine services in Bangladesh.