Term of Award
Spring 2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.)
Document Type and Release Option
Dissertation (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Health Policy and Community Health
Committee Chair
Samuel Opoku
Committee Member 1
William Mase
Committee Member 2
Bettye Apenteng
Abstract
Telemedicine is beneficial and a safe option for in-person medical patient visits and can improve patient health outcomes. However, there is a gap in how different racial/ethnic groups utilize this medical service. This study evaluates the relationship between discrimination in medical care and telemedicine utilization among different racial/ethnic groups and the association between race/ethnicity and the perception that the care received via telemedicine is as good as in-person care. This study analyzed secondary data from the Health Information National Trend Survey 6. A binomial logistic regression model was conducted for this study. The findings show that individuals who experienced discrimination during medical care were significantly associated with telemedicine utilization. Non-Hispanic Blacks/African Americans were significantly associated with the perception that the care received via telemedicine is as good as the care received in person. The findings suggest a need for providers and stakeholders to encourage the use of telemedicine to patients and be culturally sensitive when providing telehealth services since telehealth can improve health outcomes for patients facing barriers to healthcare.
INDEX WORDS: Telemedicine, Telehealth, Utilization, Discrimination, Perception, Race/Ethnicity
Recommended Citation
Akpo, Jennifer E. (2024). The Perception and Use of Telemedicine within the United States.
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
