A STUDY OF ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE OF USING TELE HEALTH SERVICES AMONG COLLEGE GOING STUDENTS OF UTTARAKHAND

Abstract

Tele medicine or Tele health services are available in the world before 1970. Recent surge has been observed in the tele medicine during Covid 19. It is observed that tele health services usage has increased from 11% to 70% and the satisfaction level among the patients is around 78% in US and China. As per the Press information bureau report, in India around 35000 patients use E Sanjeevni portal for tele health services. The purpose of the study is to assess the knowledge perception and attitude towards tele health services by the students because they are young generation and their adoption rate of technology and skill set in technology is very high. A questionnaire was floated through Google forms to students of various colleges in Uttarakhand primarily in the district of Dehradun, Haridwar and Nainital. Around 1000 students were targeted through their Gmail accounts and WhatsApp groups. It was found that there is lack of awareness among students about telemedicine apps and related aspects; there perception towards it is positive as they want to use it as well as willing to refer it as well. It is concluded that telehealth services can be boon for a state like Uttarakhand as the health infrastructure is poor in the state because of its geography. If the organization providing telehealth services will try to improve awareness, the willingness to adapt telehealth services will be very high.