Knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards telemedicine among patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in two distant clinics and the national hospital Kandy

Abstract

Introduction: Telemedicine combines information and communication technology with healthcare. Although telemedicine is new to Sri Lanka, developed countries around the world are experiencing its benefits. Patients who are on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) are ideal to establish telemedicine due to implications such as non-institutional care, patient independence, and the routine nature of evaluation. This study aimed to identify the level of knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards telemedicine among patients with CAPD in two distant clinics and the National Hospital, Kandy. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted among 139 patients with CAPD who were attending the CAPD satellite clinics in Giradurukotte, Wilgamuwa, and the National Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Data were collected using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire designed based on an extensive literature search and the opinions of experts in renal medicine. SPSS version 26 was used to analyse the data. Results: The mean sum of scores for the knowledge, awareness, and attitude assessment questionnaires were 7.17 ± 2.25, 7.16 ± 4.16, and 40.85 ± 3.59, respectively. The majority of participants (50.4%) had good knowledge about telemedicine, 90.6% had poor awareness, and the majority (66.9%) had moderate attitudes towards telemedicine. No participant exhibited a poor attitude level. Out of 139 patients, 15 (10.8%) had personal experience with telemedicine services. Avoidance of transport, convenience, and effectiveness in laboratory results assessment were the main advantages of telemedicine, while financing for instruments and technical issues were the main barriers. Participant education status and residential area were significantly associated with knowledge levels. Higher education was linked with increased participant awareness of telemedicine. Conclusion: Although the awareness of the study participants towards telemedicine was poor, they had a good level of knowledge and a moderate level of attitudes towards telemedicine. Awareness programmes about telemedicine to improve their awareness should be needed.