Perceived Knowledge, Exposure and Attitude Towards Telemedicine among Medical Students in Taiwan

Abstract

Telemedicine experienced a significant surge in utilization globally during the pandemic. In the post-pandemic era, telemedicine plays an important role in promoting health education and delivery of care. Despite recognizing its significance, medical students across different countries expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of telemedicine training. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the perceived knowledge, exposure, and attitude towards telemedicine among medical students in Taiwan.

Method: The study implemented a cross-sectional design using an online, questionnaire-based survey via Google Forms across the medical schools in Taiwan. The questionnaire consists of 30 questions including demographic information, perceived knowledge, exposure and attitude towards telemedicine in the country. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, T-test, and Spearman's rank correlation.

Results: Of 158 surveyed students, 75% were preclinical (n = 118) and 25% clinical (n = 40) Gender ratio was 49:51 male to female (n = 77; n = 81) . Perceived knowledge declined with question specificity. Exposure to telemedicine for both preclinical and clinical students was notably lacking. Attitudes towards telemedicine varied, with a majority expressing its importance in healthcare, yet dissatisfaction with current practice and training. Bivariate analyses indicated a stronger correlation between perceived knowledge and attitude among preclinical students compared to clinical students.

Conclusion: This study sheds light on the current state of telemedicine education among medical students in Taiwan, revealing significant gaps in perceived knowledge, exposure, and attitudes towards telemedicine. Integrating telemedicine into the standard medical curriculum, providing hands-on experience, and developing formalized training programs are crucial steps towards equipping future physicians with the necessary skills for effective telemedicine practice. This is especially pertinent as the nation transitions towards an aging population, where telemedicine offers promising solutions for healthcare delivery.