Note: *p < 0.1; **p < 0.05; ***p < 0.01
The odds ratio compares the chances of two events occurring. Odds ratios
greater than 1 indicate that the probability of the event occurring
increases as the predictor increases. Odds ratios less than 1 indicate
that the probability of the event occurring decreases as the predictor
increases. Based on the results obtained, we can say
- Familiarity with technology increases the likelihood that a person has
already tried an e-health service.
- Men were more likely to have tried an e-health service than women.
- Parents were more likely to try an e-health service than those without
children.
- Lack of confidence in technology and e-health reduces the likelihood
of an individual trying an e-health service.
It should be noted that although the questionnaires were completed
during the pandemic, this does not mean that people who tried e-health
services only encountered e-health during the pandemic. While the
questions on telediagnostics (willingness to try and intention to try)
were future-oriented and largely reflected the pandemic, the questions
on trying currently available services were more related to the
pre-pandemic period.
This is also indicated by the fact that neither COVID-19 anxietynor positive attiĀtude was not a significant factor for those who
tried e-health services, while technological readiness was. The
EESZT system has been available since 2017, and the photo- or
video-based teleconsultation facilities and digital medical devices
included in the questionnaire have been available for longer, and can be
used to track test results and trigger prescriptions, among other
things. However, using telemedicine is not trivial: before the pandemic,
the complexity of using telemedicine services may have been more a
matter of technical competence than a positive attitude.
This is entirely consistent with the fact that men who were more
technologically savvy were significantly more likely to have tried an
e-health service. It is also logical that parents were more likely to
use e-health services than those without children: overall, it is much
easier to download a prescription from the cloud via EESZT or to consult
a doctor by email than to do so in person while looking after the
children.