KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF TELEMEDICINE AMONG NURSING STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The healthcare sector is rapidly changing due to the integration of telemedicine, an advanced technology that aims to improve healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved areas. Telemedicine utilises information and communication technologies to provide clinical healthcare from a distance, overcoming obstacles related to geographical locations, availability of healthcare professionals, and access to specialised medical services (WHO, 2020). The origins of telemedicine date back to the 1950s when healthcare providers began using telecommunications to share radiologic images via telephone lines (Bashshur, Shannon, Krupinski, & Grigsby, 2018). Since then, telemedicine has evolved significantly, leveraging advancements in digital technology, internet connectivity, and mobile devices. 

These technologies have facilitated instantaneous video consultations, remote monitoring of patients, and the safe transmission of medical data (Dorsey & Topol, 2019). Telemedicine platforms currently enable healthcare providers to do virtual consultations, diagnose medical disorders, and prescribe treatments without requiring in-person visits. Likewise, it  provides convenience and flexibility by enabling patients to get medical care from the comfort of their homes, thereby decreasing the necessity of travel and minimising disturbances to their daily routines. Moreover, telemedicine can mitigate the strain on healthcare systems by decreasing the number of face-to-face appointments and optimising the provision of medical treatment (Koonin et al., 2020).

 In Nigeria, where healthcare resources are unevenly distributed and the healthcare system faces significant challenges, telemedicine offers an opportunity to bridge these gaps. However, the successful implementation and sustainability of telemedicine heavily depend on the preparedness and acceptance of healthcare professionals, including nurses, who play a crucial role in patient care (Jaglal et al., 2018).

Although telemedicine has the potential to thrive, its implementation in Nigeria is still in its early phases. According to Kruse et al. (2017), the widespread application of healthcare technology is hindered by challenges such as insufficient ICT infrastructure, low internet penetration, absence of standardised regulations, and healthcare professionals' unwillingness to change. Furthermore, the effectiveness of telemedicine programmes relies significantly on the willingness and proficiency of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, who have a vital responsibility in delivering patient care and telemedicine services. 

Although telemedicine offers many benefits, it encounters several obstacles to its implementation. Regulatory and legal problems, such as licensure requirements and reimbursement rules, exhibit substantial variation across different areas and nations (Yang et al., 2018). Moreover, the deployment of telemedicine services has substantial hurdles due to concerns over data privacy and security, particularly when it comes to handling sensitive medical information (Kruse et al., 2019). Telemedicine can be hindered by technological limitations, such as insufficient internet infrastructure and a lack of digital literacy among some patient populations.Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to assess the knowledge and perception of telemedicine among nursing students of the University of Lagos State.

Statement of the Problem

Telemedicine is widely acknowledged worldwide as a crucial technique for enhancing healthcare provision, particularly in remote and rural regions where there is a shortage of healthcare facilities and specialists (WHO, 2020). in addition, it enables immediate consultations, remote monitoring of patients, and the sharing of medical data, therefore enhancing patient results and decreasing healthcare expenses (Bashshur et al., 2019). Telemedicine in Nigeria has the potential to tackle pressing healthcare challenges, including the scarcity of healthcare professionals, restricted availability of specialised care, and the significant burden of both infectious and non-communicable diseases (Adepoju et al., 2018). Despite the growing importance of telemedicine globally, there remains a significant gap in the knowledge and perception of telemedicine among nursing students in Nigeria.Studies have shown that nursing students' acceptance and willingness to use telemedicine are influenced by their familiarity with the technology, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and the quality of telemedicine education they receive (Smith et al., 2018).Similarly, a lack of knowledge and negative perceptions can hinder the acceptance and use of telemedicine in clinical practice (Gagnon et al., 2019). Hence, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to assess the knowledge and perception of telemedicine among nursing students of the University of Lagos State.

 1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and perception of telemedicine among nursing students of the University of Lagos State. Specifically, the study will;

1.Evaluate the level of awareness of telemedicine among nursing students at the University of Lagos State.

2.Evaluate  the attitudes of nursing students towards the use of telemedicine in clinical practice.

3.Evaluate the factors influencing nursing students' acceptance to use telemedicine at the University of Lagos State.

1.4  Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What is the level of awareness of telemedicine among nursing students at the University of Lagos State?

What are the attitudes of nursing students towards the use of telemedicine in clinical practice?

What are the factors influencing nursing students' acceptance of telemedicine at the University of Lagos State?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H01: Nursing students at the University of Lagos State have no significant knowledge of telemedicine.

Ha1: Nursing students at the University of Lagos State have significant knowledge of telemedicine.

H02: Nursing students at the University of Lagos State have no significantly positive perception of telemedicine.

Ha2: Nursing students at the University of Lagos State have a significantly positive perception of telemedicine.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study findings will reveal the importance of integrating telemedicine training into nursing education to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge. It will inform policymakers and educators about the barriers to telemedicine adoption, thereby guiding the development of targeted interventions to promote telemedicine in the Nigerian healthcare system.However, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. Build on the findings to explore further aspects of  the the knowledge and perception of telemedicine among nursing students contributing to the academic body of knowledge.

1.7 Scope of the study   

The scope of this study is boarded on the knowledge and perception of telemedicine among nursing students of the University of Lagos State. Empirically, this study will evaluate the level of awareness of telemedicine among nursing students,  the attitudes of nursing students towards the use of telemedicine in clinical practice and the factors influencing nursing students' acceptance to use telemedicine.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to nursing students of the University of Lagos State.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.9 Definition of Terms

Telemedicine: Refers to the delivery of healthcare services and clinical information using telecommunications technology. This includes remote consultations, diagnoses, and treatments via phone, video conferencing, email, or other digital communication tools.

Health: Refers to a state of physical, mental, and social well-being in which an individual is free from illness and injury.

Telehealth: Involves the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access and manage health care services remotely.

Patient: An individual who receives medical attention, care, or treatment from a health care provider or organization.

Chronic disease: Conditions that persist over an extended period and often require ongoing medical management. Examples include diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.

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