Authors :
Dr. Swati Rankja; Dr. Bharati Makwana; Dr. Kalpita Shringarpure; Dr. Dharmi Rankja; Dr. Dhruvi Rankja
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 2 - February
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/2ypsnuex
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/4z243bcs
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26feb903
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
The rapid expansion of telemedicine has significantly transformed healthcare delivery in low- and middle-income
countries like India, where access to specialist services remains uneven. This descriptive cross-sectional mixed-methods
study, conducted over three months at a tertiary care hospital in central Gujarat, assessed knowledge and practices related
to telemedicine among healthcare professionals using the national e-Sanjeevani platform. Quantitative data from 56
participants and qualitative insights from seven departmental nodal officers revealed that although all participants were
aware of telemedicine, only 14.3% possessed comprehensive knowledge of all services and half correctly identified all
beneficiary groups. While 83.9% were aware of various modes of teleconsultation, only one-third provided comprehensive
services including diagnosis, treatment, and counselling, and emergency management was largely limited to referrals.
Qualitative findings emphasized the pivotal coordinating role of nodal officers and highlighted operational challenges such
as software glitches, connectivity issues, and inappropriate calls. Overall, despite high awareness, significant gaps in
knowledge, confidence, and system readiness persist, underscoring the need for strengthened training, improved technical
infrastructure, and enhanced administrative support to optimize telemedicine utilization in tertiary care settings.
Keywords :
Digital Health, Healthcare Professionals, Knowledge, Teleconsultation, Telemedicine Practice
References :
- Board Of Governors, N. A. Telemedicine Practice Guidelines. Board of Governors in supersession of the Medical Council of India-2020. 1–48 (2020).
- World Health Organization. Implementing telemedicine services during COVID-19: guiding principles and considerations for a stepwise approach. Who 20, 2–2 (2020).
- Ashfaq, A. et al. Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Telemedicine Among Doctors in Karachi. Cureus 12, 10–15 (2020).
- Chandwani, R. K. Telemedicine in India. Transform. Gov. People , Process Policy 7, 240–255 (2013).
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, G. of I. eSanjeevani – National Telemedicine Service of India. at https://esanjeevani.mohfw.gov.in/ (2019).
- Goyal, A. & Khatib, M. N. Knowledge , Attitude and Practice Regarding Telemedicine among Health Professionals Involved in Treating Patient Attending a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India : A Cross Sectional Study. J. Res. Med. Dent. Sci. 10, 247–258 (2022).
- Government of India. Telecom Statistics India - 2020. (2020).
- Bashir, M. S., Lalithabai, D. S., AlOtaiby, S. & Abu-Shaheen, A. Health care professionals’ knowledge and attitudes toward telemedicine. Front. Public Heal. 11, (2023).
- Assaye, B. T., Jemere, A. T. & Nigatu, A. M. Knowledge and awareness of health professionals towards telemedicine services in Northwest, Ethiopia. Digit. Heal. 8, (2022).
- Zayapragassarazan, Z. & Kumar, S. Awareness, knowledge, attitude and skills of telemedicine among health professional faculty working in teaching hospitals. J. Clin. Diagnostic Res. 10, JC01–JC04 (2016).
- Monaghesh, E. & Hajizadeh, A. The role of telehealth during COVID-19 outbreak : a systematic review based on current evidence. 4, 1–9 (2020).
- Greenhalgh, T. et al. Beyond Adoption : A New Framework for Theorizing and Evaluating Nonadoption , Abandonment , and Challenges to the Scale-Up , Spread , and Sustainability of Health and Care Technologies Corresponding Author : J. Med. INTERNET Res. 19, 1 (2017).
- Kruse, C. S. et al. Telehealth and patient satisfaction : a systematic review and narrative analysis. BMJ 1–12 (2017) doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016242.
- Almathami, H. K. Y., Win, K. T., Vlahu-gjorgievska, E. & Ave, N. Barriers and Facilitators That Influence Telemedicine-Based , Real-Time , Online Consultation at Patients ’ Homes : Systematic Literature Review Corresponding Author : 22, (2020).
- E. Ray Dorsey, M.D., M.B.A., and Eric J. Topol, M. D. State of Telehealth. J. Med. INTERNET Res. 375, 154–61 (2016).
- Smith AC, Thomas E, Snoswell CL, Haydon H, Mehrotra A, Clemensen J, et al. Telehealth for global emergencies: Implications for COVID-19. J Telemed Telecare. 2020;26(5):309–13. Telehealth Glob. emergencies 26(5), 309–13 (2020).
- Feroz, A., Jabeen, R. & Saleem, S. Using mobile phones to improve community health workers performance in low-and-middle-income countries. BMC Public Health 1–7 (2020).
The rapid expansion of telemedicine has significantly transformed healthcare delivery in low- and middle-income
countries like India, where access to specialist services remains uneven. This descriptive cross-sectional mixed-methods
study, conducted over three months at a tertiary care hospital in central Gujarat, assessed knowledge and practices related
to telemedicine among healthcare professionals using the national e-Sanjeevani platform. Quantitative data from 56
participants and qualitative insights from seven departmental nodal officers revealed that although all participants were
aware of telemedicine, only 14.3% possessed comprehensive knowledge of all services and half correctly identified all
beneficiary groups. While 83.9% were aware of various modes of teleconsultation, only one-third provided comprehensive
services including diagnosis, treatment, and counselling, and emergency management was largely limited to referrals.
Qualitative findings emphasized the pivotal coordinating role of nodal officers and highlighted operational challenges such
as software glitches, connectivity issues, and inappropriate calls. Overall, despite high awareness, significant gaps in
knowledge, confidence, and system readiness persist, underscoring the need for strengthened training, improved technical
infrastructure, and enhanced administrative support to optimize telemedicine utilization in tertiary care settings.
Keywords :
Digital Health, Healthcare Professionals, Knowledge, Teleconsultation, Telemedicine Practice