Empirical Study on the Usage of Telemedicine by Rural and Urban Health Care Consumers in Taiwan: Integrating the Perspectives of Technology Acceptance Model and Theory of Planned Behavior.

Introduction: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease-19 posed significant challenges globally, impacting various sectors and health care systems profoundly. In response, telemedicine has emerged as a vital solution to address health care demands and resource shortages. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on telemedicine usage among health care consumers in urban and rural areas of Taiwan. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the usage, attitudes, and intentions of telemedicine utilization among health care consumers in Taiwan, integrating the Technology Acceptance Model and Theory of Planned Behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2023 to May 2024, involving 1,053 participants who utilized telemedicine services. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 21.0 software. Results: The results revealed significant disparities in telemedicine utilization between urban and rural areas, with urban residents exhibiting higher levels of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude toward use, trust, and intention to use telemedicine. Regression analysis indicated a significant association between urban residence and male gender with telemedicine utilization, contrary to previous research findings. These disparities may stem from differences in health care accessibility and cultural norms prevalent in urban and rural areas. Conclusions: Further investigation into gender differences and interventions to promote telemedicine usage among females, particularly in urban areas, are recommended. This study provides valuable insights for future research and health care policy formulation.

Empirical Study on Hospitalist System: A Value Creation Perspective.

This study investigates the impact of hospitalist system awareness, motivation, and behavior on value creation within the healthcare context of Taiwan. As population aging and the prevalence of chronic diseases continue to rise, accompanied by increased medical resource consumption, the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare introduced the hospitalist system. Despite its implementation, the number of participating hospitals remains low. Using a questionnaire survey conducted from October 2021 to March 2022, data were collected from medical teams involved in the hospitalist system. A total of 324 valid questionnaires were analyzed. The results reveal that hospitalist awareness positively influences participation motivation (ß = 0.846, p < 0.001), which subsequently impacts participation behavior positively (ß = 0.888, p < 0.001). Moreover, participation behavior significantly contributes to value creation (ß = 0.869, p < 0.001), along with the direct effect of awareness (ß = 0.782, p < 0.001) on value creation. In conclusion, the successful promotion and implementation of the hospitalist system rely heavily on the support and active participation of medical staff. Effective interactions and comprehensive information dissemination are essential for maximizing healthcare value creation.

Exploring Telemedicine Usage Intention Using Technology Acceptance Model and Social Capital Theory.

Telemedicine technology has emerged as a pivotal solution to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of healthcare services. This study investigates the factors influencing the acceptance of telemedicine technology among healthcare professionals in Taiwan. Employing a quantitative research approach, we utilized a survey instrument adapted from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. Data were collected from 325 healthcare professionals across diverse medical fields. The results indicate that perceived usefulness, ease of use, social influence, and convenience significantly influence intention to use telemedicine. Moreover, age moderates the relationship between perceived usefulness and usage intention. These findings underscore the importance of addressing both technological and social factors in promoting the adoption of telemedicine among healthcare professionals. Policy implications and recommendations for enhancing telemedicine implementation are discussed based on the study findings. Specifically, our findings highlight that perceived usefulness, ease of use, social influence, and convenience significantly impact the intention to use telemedicine technology. Age significantly moderates the relationship between perceived usefulness and usage intention. These results not only theoretically support the UTAUT model but also provide practical strategies to advance the application of telemedicine technology.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Assessment of Service Quality and User Satisfaction of a Community Support Program in a Region of Taiwan.

This study aims to assess the service quality and user satisfaction of a community support program (CSP) in a specific administrative region of Taiwan. Employing a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 450 CSP users in the region via a questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including descriptive analysis, ANOVA, and Scheffe's Test, were conducted using SPSS 22.0. The findings reveal that users aged 70-79 years with primary education, as well as those with demand or unknown demand for long-term care, reported the highest level of satisfaction with CSP services (mean = 4.5, SD = 0.7, p < 0.05). The study underscores the influence of user characteristics and their understanding of the services on satisfaction levels. These insights provide clear direction for policymakers in shaping the future of CSPs, emphasizing the importance of addressing user needs and enhancing awareness and the utilization of available services.