"Telemedicine and Health System Strengthening: An ANOVA-Based Study on Access, Outcomes, and Satisfaction"

Abstract

Telemedicine has emerged as a transformative tool for enhancing healthcare accessibility, particularly in underserved and remote areas. This study assesses the effectiveness of telemedicine technologies in improving patient care, disease management, and overall health system performance from the perspective of medical professionals. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 247 doctors using a structured and reliable questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.872). Paired samples t-tests and ANOVA were employed to evaluate perceptual changes before and after telemedicine awareness interventions. Results indicated significant improvements in doctors' confidence regarding telemedicine’s role in diagnosing and managing conditions such as tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), malaria, and COVID-19. ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences across three thematic domains: Patient Care Improvement (PCI), Disease Cure Improvement (DCI), and Health System Improvement (HSI). While telemedicine is widely supported for routine and chronic care, limitations remain in its application to complex treatment scenarios. The findings highlight telemedicine’s potential to enhance healthcare delivery and emphasize the need for targeted training and infrastructure development to facilitate its effective integration into health systems.