Utilization of, satisfaction toward, and challenges for Internet-based healthcare services provided by primary health institutions

Evidence from China

Bibliographic Data

ID22089446
AuthorsShuo Wang (0000-0003-2562-0225, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University), Xin Wang (0000-0003-2833-6940, Sun Yat-sen University), Yuyin Zhou (0000-0003-2232-9563, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University), Junfang Xu (0000-0001-9133-8960, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume10
Pages1100634-1100634
Publication date2023-01-19
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.2022.1100634
PMID36743153
OpenAlexW4317387803
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited22

Background The rapid development of “Internet plus healthcare” in China has provided new ways for the innovative development of primary healthcare. In addition, a series of favorable policies have been issued to promote Internet-based healthcare services in primary health institutions. Objective The aim of this study was to describe the utilization of, satisfaction toward, and challenges faced by Internet-based healthcare services provided by primary health institutions in China. Methods A self-designed structured questionnaire was employed to collect related data in January 2022 through Credamo. The questionnaire mainly included sociodemographic characteristics, health-related information, utilization of, satisfaction toward, and challenges faced by Internet-based healthcare services provided by primary health institutions. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the sociodemographic characteristics, utilization, satisfaction, and challenges by subgroups. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was carried out to examine the differences in satisfaction with Internet-based healthcare services between participants who ever received these services and those who did not. A multiple logistic regression model was also used to examine the factors influencing the utilization of Internet-based healthcare services provided by primary health institutions. Results A total of 10,600 residents were included in the final analysis, of whom 5,754 (54.3%) were women. Overall, 51.3% (5,434) of the total participants ever used Internet-based healthcare services provided by primary health institutions. Among those who used Internet-based healthcare services, the most widely used services were procedure-related consultation services (63.7%). The satisfaction among those who ever used it was significantly higher than that among those who did not (84.7 vs. 45.4%; p -value < 0.001). One of the biggest challenges (69.3%) expressed by the residents was that it was difficult for the elderly to use Internet-based services, followed by community doctors with low capacity of providing primary care online (49.0%) and residents were worried about the information security and privacy protection (48.5%). Younger people, people with lower education levels, and people with chronic diseases were significantly more likely to use Internet-based healthcare services provided by primary health institutions ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Among 10,600 residents surveyed in China in 2022, more than half of the people used Internet-based healthcare services provided by primary health institutions, and most of them were satisfied, although subgroups significant differences existed. The most common use was procedure-related (e.g., online registration and result query), and several challenges of using Internet-based healthcare services exist (e.g., information safety and usage among elderly people). Therefore, it is important to further improve Internet-based primary healthcare services based on the population perception of achieving healthy China in 2030

Business · China · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Health care · Health services · Political science · Population · The Internet · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation