Acceptance of Telemedicine in Healthcare Customers of District Karachi, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

The global healthcare industry faced significant revenue and volume losses following the emergence of COVID-19 in December 2019. Telemedicine emerged as a potential solution to mitigate these challenges. Objectives: To determine the influence of internet browsing and immunosuppression on telemedicine acceptance and to evaluate the mediating role of fear of acquiring hospital-induced infections (HAI) in this relationship. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted from April to September 2021. Data were collected using a validated online questionnaire distributed to patients, physicians, and health insurance providers in Karachi. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, employing correlation, regression, and mediation analysis. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study found that internet browsing significantly influenced telemedicine acceptance (p < 0.01), while immunosuppression did not (p = 0.39). The mediating role of fear of HAI was partially supported. The model's explanatory power was weak, with an R value of 0.29, indicating limited predictive capability. Conclusions: The findings suggested limited acceptance of telemedicine among Karachi's population, highlighting the need for targeted awareness campaigns and policy adjustments. While internet browsing positively influenced telemedicine acceptance, immunosuppression did not. The study underscored the importance of addressing technological and health-related barriers to improve telemedicine adoption.