Telehealth perceptions and associated factors among older adults with chronic conditions in Saudi Arabia

A comparative study of users and non-users

Bibliographic Data

ID22072161
AuthorsAbdulkarim M Meraya (0000-0002-6876-7270, Jazan University, corresponding author), Amani Khardali (0000-0002-5611-4782, Jazan University), Sarfaraz Ahmad (0000-0003-0552-0059, Jazan University), Ahmed Z Hoshaibari (Jazan University), Atheer A Alameer (Jazan University), Raed Y Jaafari (Jazan University), Hilal A Thaibah (Jazan University), Moaddey Alfarhan (0000-0002-7207-7555, Jazan University), Mamoon H Syed (0000-0001-6627-7895, Jazan University)
Year2025
Volume13
Pages1542974-1542974
Publication date2025-03-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1542974
PMID40144973
OpenAlexW4408379126
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited46

Background Telehealth is a promising approach for healthcare delivery that uses telecommunication technologies to enhance accessibility by providing remote health services. This study aimed to identify psychosocial factors that best predict behavioral intention to use telehealth/telemedicine, as mediated by attitude toward use, among older adults with chronic conditions in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia, and to compare users and non-users. Methods Participants were aged 60 years or above, residing in Jazan, and presenting with at least one chronic condition. This study used a quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. We stratified all analyses by telehealth use status (users or non-users). Results Our study sample comprised 466 participants aged 60 or above with at least one chronic condition. The most prevalent condition was diabetes (29%), followed by arthritis (23%). Among the telehealth users (n = 256), a high percentage (42%) reported that telehealth was better than in-person appointments. Among telehealth users, we found that perceived usefulness [(users: β = 0.501; p < 0.001) (non-users: β = 0.441; p < 0.001)] and facilitating conditions [(users: β = 0.768; p = 0.001) (non-users: β = 0.807; p < 0.001)] positively affected attitudes to using telehealth. Telehealth users and non-users reported dislike or fear of the service and unavailability of appointments as the most important barriers to using telehealth services. Conclusion The results of this study are important for designing new telehealth applications, especially for older adults in Saudi Arabia. Designers and developers must understand that the attributes and capabilities of telehealth applications should be simple and user-friendly to encourage older adults to increase their intention to use telehealth

Family medicine · Health care · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Telehealth · Telemedicine · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Technology Use by Older Adults · Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation · Gerontology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access