Determinants of Catalan Public Primary Care Professionals’ Intention to Use Digital Clinical Consultations (eConsulta) in the Post–COVID-19 Context: Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Background Telemedicine has become a necessary component of clinical practice for the purpose of providing safer patient care during lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been used to support the health care needs of patients with COVID-19 and routine primary care patients alike. However, this change has not been fully consolidated. Objective The objective of this study was to analyze the determinants of health care professionals’ intention to use the eConsulta digital clinical consultation tool in the post–COVID-19 context. Methods A literature review of the Technology Acceptance Model allowed us to construct a theoretical model and establish a set of hypotheses on the influence of a variety of different factors relating to health care professionals, as well as the institutions where they work, on their intention to use eConsulta. In order to confirm the proposed model, a mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology was used, and a questionnaire was designed to serve as the data collection instrument. The data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analysis techniques. To confirm the theoretical model, exploratory factor analysis and binary logistic regression were applied. Results The most important variables were related to perceived benefits (B=2.408) and the type of use that individuals habitually made of eConsulta (B=0.715). Environmental pressure (B=0.678), experience with technology (B=0.542), gender (B=0.639), and the degree to which eConsulta had been implemented (B=0.266) were other variables influencing the intention to use the tool in the post–COVID-19 context. When replicating the previous analysis according to professional group, experience with technology and gender in the physician group, and experience with tool use and the center where a professional worked in the nurse group, were found to be of considerable importance. Conclusions The implementation and use of eConsulta had increased significantly as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the majority of health care professionals were satisfied with its use in practice and planned to incorporate it into their practices in the post–COVID-19 context. Perceived benefits and environmental pressure were determining factors in their attitude toward and intention to use eConsulta.

Asynchronous Remote Communication as a Tool for Care Management in Primary Care: A Rapid Review of the Literature

“…A total of 16 studies, in Spain (n = 6), USA (n = 5), Canada (n = 3), Norway (n = 1) and one systematic review (n = 1) were included. Of the total, 7 are quantitative studies [ 1 3 13 14 15 16 17 ], 7 qualitative studies [ 11 18 19 20 21 22 23 ], and 2 mixed studies [ 24 25 ]. Finally, a qualitative analysis with deductive characteristics was carried out, identifying a total of 5 general themes: 1) Reduction of face-to-face visits 2) Services available and most frequent uses of asynchronous telematic consultation 3) Characteristics and perceptions of professional users 4) Characteristics and perceptions of users 5) Barriers and facilitators for the implementation of asynchronous telematic consultation.…”

Análisis descriptivo de una encuesta on-line a los usuarios del servicio de teleconsulta de Cataluña: la COVID-19, ¿cambio de paradigma de los ciudadanos sobre la atención médica?

“…Durante la pandemia, el Sistema Sanitario Catalán potenció la telemedicina y mayoritariamente la eConsulta para dar una atención más segura para pacientes y sanitarios 4,5 . Un estudio reciente sobre la eConsulta muestra la capacidad de esta herramienta para reducir el número de visitas presenciales en un 79,60 % de los casos.…”

Using Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling (MSEM) to Identify the Predictors and Influencing Mechanism of Technology Use Among Chinese Physicians: An Example from Des-Gamma-Carboxy Prothrombin (DCP)

“…6 To date, based on the above theories, a number of studies have identified and highlighted the importance of influencing factors influencing technology use from one or two of the five aspects: individual, technology, organizational atmosphere, organizational practice, and industry environment. [7][8][9][10] For instance, a study by Saigí-Rubió F remarked technology characteristics and environmental pressure as determinants of healthcare professionals' intentions to use digital clinical consultations tools. 7 Liu's study focused on predictors that shape primary care physicians' antibiotic prescribing behavior at the individual level.…”

“…[7][8][9][10] For instance, a study by Saigí-Rubió F remarked technology characteristics and environmental pressure as determinants of healthcare professionals' intentions to use digital clinical consultations tools. 7 Liu's study focused on predictors that shape primary care physicians' antibiotic prescribing behavior at the individual level. 8 Besides, Randall CL and Knerr reported the significance of organizational factors to the successful implementation of certain health technologies.…”