A Cross-Sectional Survey Exploring the Willingness of Hong Kong People to Use Teleconsultation in Primary Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the willingness of the general Hong Kong population to use teleconsultation in primary care and the factors affecting their decisions and to ascertain the medical problems for which people will consider using teleconsultation in primary care. The study was a cross-sectional territory-wide random population survey on adults recruited through a computer-assisted telephone interview system. Outcome Measures: Outcomes were the proportion of the general Hong Kong population indicating their willingness to use teleconsultation in primary care; the drivers and barriers affecting their willingness; and the medical problems in primary care for which people would consider using teleconsultation. Results: After applying population weighting, 51.6% of the study respondents were found to be willing to use teleconsultation in primary care. The main drivers were possessing the perception that teleconsultation would serve the majority of their health problems (odds ratio [OR] = 3.693, p < 0.001), provision of government subsidy (OR = 3.567, p < 0.001), and ownership of a computer/tablet (OR = 2.116, p < 0.001). A major barrier for people’s reluctance to use teleconsultation in primary care was having an education level of primary or below (OR = 0.388, p = 0.002). The majority of people had reasonable expectations on which medical conditions teleconsultation could be helpful but misunderstandings did exist. Conclusion: Our survey estimated that more than half of the general Hong Kong population was willing to use teleconsultation in primary care. Health care service providers and the government should address the drivers and barriers and clarify any misconceptions if teleconsultation is to be further developed in the Hong Kong primary care system.