Perceptions and attitudes of patients and healthcare workers towards the use of telemedicine in Botswana: An exploratory study

Abstract

Introduction In March 2020, the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness approved a National eHealth Strategy. Although a milestone, the strategy does not mention telemedicine. There is need to address this by developing an evidence-based adjunct strategy for telemedicine to facilitate its introduction and adoption. To do so, several stages of a published eHealth Strategy Development Framework were mimicked. This allowed situational awareness to be created through exploring behavioural factors and perceptions that might influence the adoption of telemedicine in Botswana. The study aim was to explore current issues, concerns, perceptions, attitudes, views, and knowledge of patients and healthcare professionals regarding health-related issues and telemedicine that might influence implementation of telemedicine in Botswana and thereby inform future development of a telemedicine strategy. Methods An exploratory survey study was conducted using different survey questionnaires for patients and healthcare professionals, each using a mix of open- and closed-ended questions. These questionnaires were administered to convenience samples of healthcare professionals and patients at 12 public healthcare facilities in Botswana; seven clinics (three rural; four urban), and five hospitals (two primary, two district, and one tertiary), selected to align with the country’s decentralised healthcare structure. Results Fifty-three healthcare professionals and 89 patients participated. Few healthcare professionals had actively used telemedicine for clinical consults and self-education using telephone calls, cell phone apps, or video conferencing (doctors 42%, nurses 10%). Only a few health facilities had telemedicine installations. Healthcare professional preference for future telemedicine uses were e-learning (98%), clinical services (92%), and health informatics (electronic records (87%). All healthcare professionals (100%) and most patients (94%) were willing to use and participate in telemedicine programmes. Open-ended responses showed additional perspective. Resource shortages (health human resources and infrastructure) were key to both groups. Convenience, cost effectiveness, and increased remote patient access to specialists were identified as enablers to telemedicine use. However inhibitors were cultural and traditional beliefs, although privacy, security and confidentiality were also identified. Results were consistent with findings from other developing countries. Conclusion Although use, knowledge, and awareness of telemedicine are low, general acceptance, willingness to use, and understanding of benefits are high. These findings bode well for development of a telemedicine-specific strategy for Botswana, complementary to the National eHealth Strategy, to guide more systematic adoption and application of telemedicine in the future.

Evaluation of Telemedicine Consultations Using Health Outcomes and User Attitudes and Experiences: Scoping Review

“…This finding was similar among HCPs involved in VCs with COPD patients [38,40,44,46,47]. Recent studies in different countries have also identified positivity in attitude from HCPs towards remote care [84][85][86].…”

Recommendations for Developing a Telemedicine Strategy for Botswana: A Meta-Synthesis

“…Such a strategy is necessary to redress the absence of telemedicine initiatives in the National eHealth Strategy, and the current often uncoordinated and unstructured telemedicine interventions that are difficult to scale and sustain—a situation that squanders limited national resources. Pragmatic research studies involving healthcare workers, patients and other eHealth experts clearly revealed the areas of focus that the proposed strategy should address [ 13 , 14 ]. Using this, and evidence from a variety of other sources, six priority HRIs were differentiated ( Table 1 ).…”

“…Although research and pilot projects have been reported in Botswana, for example, by Ndlovu et al [ 22 ], Chavez et al [ 23 ], and Littman-Quinn et al [ 24 ], little was known about perceived telemedicine knowledge, practices, and needs of healthcare workers and patients. A recent survey and key informant-based research provided that insight [ 13 , 14 ]. Surveys of healthcare workers (HCW) and patients in three regions of Botswana had identified their perspectives on priority HRI [ 14 ].…”

“…A recent survey and key informant-based research provided that insight [ 13 , 14 ]. Surveys of healthcare workers (HCW) and patients in three regions of Botswana had identified their perspectives on priority HRI [ 14 ]. Published telemedicine research from Botswana .…”

“…Recent research emulated the application of the eHealth Strategy Development Framework [ 13 , 14 ]. It showed that within Botswana, specific knowledge and insight of eHealth and telemedicine amongst healthcare workers and patients were lacking, but there was general acceptance, willingness to use, and belief that telemedicine was helpful [ 14 ]. Key Informants also identified priority health issues and proposed solutions to each identified HRI [ 13 ].…”