Researchers: Gizell Green¹, Tammy Porat-Packer², Riki Tesler¹

Background: Telemedicine is becoming an integral part of healthcare delivery, but its adoption in geriatric centers in Israel is still limited. Understanding the factors that facilitate or hinder the use of telemedicine among healthcare staff in these settings is crucial for its successful implementation.

Objectives: To examine the facilitating and hindering factors associated with the use of telemedicine among healthcare staff in government-owned geriatric centers in Israel.

Method: A mixed-methods study was conducted, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. The research tools included self-report questionnaires and semi-structured in-depth interviews. The sample consisted of 406 staff members in various roles from 4 government-owned geriatric centers.

Findings: Self-efficacy and subjective norms were found to be positively associated with perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of telemedicine. In contrast, anxiety and resistance to technological changes were negatively associated. Perceived ease of use mediated the relationship between self-efficacy and subjective norms and perceived usefulness. Perceived usefulness mediated the relationship between perceived ease of use and intention to use telemedicine. Qualitative findings supported and deepened quantitative results, highlighting self-efficacy and positive norms as promoters, and anxiety and tech resistance as barriers to telemedicine adoption. They also revealed unique concerns about human connection loss and the need for tailored telemedicine technology.

Conclusions: Various factors, with an emphasis on self-efficacy, subjective norms, and perceptions of usefulness and ease of use, influence the implementation of telemedicine in geriatric centers. Addressing these factors is essential for the successful adoption of the technology.

Recommendations: Establishing quality standards and indicators for telemedicine, providing training and guidance with staff involvement, addressing technological challenges among staff and patients, and encouraging and supporting staff to use telemedicine while increasing access to services and addressing barriers are recommended for policymakers to facilitate the effective implementation of telemedicine in geriatric centers in Israel.

Research end date: 07/2024