Factors influencing telemedicine adoption among physicians in the Malaysian healthcare system: A revisit

Abstract

Background The Malaysian healthcare system is under strain due to an aging population, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and heavy workloads among physicians. As costs and requirements continue to rise, telemedicine is critical for bridging gaps in supply and demand. However, there are limited studies on telemedicine adoption among Malaysian physicians. Furthermore, the existing literature on telemedicine adoption does not contain a comprehensive framework that integrates the multidimensional social influence, and technological, clinical, and individual factors. Objective This research investigates the adoption of telemedicine among Malaysian physicians. It draws from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Kelman's Social Influence Theory. Methods A survey was conducted among 230 participants in hospitals located in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results The study identified crucial factors influencing telemedicine adoption, including informational influences, rewards, perceived ease of use, and usefulness. Meanwhile, the Importance-performance Map Analysis (IPMA) identified perceived ease of use as the most important factor for physicians, but the highest performance was patient’s records. Conclusions The proposed integrated model enhances the understanding of telemedicine adoption and highlights the differential effects of individual, technological, clinical, and multidimensional social influence factors from the physicians’ perspective. The findings can guide future studies and influence implementation strategies for telemedicine promotion in the Malaysian healthcare context. Hospitals should prioritize user-friendly technology and information provision, while telemedicine providers should enhance the accessibility of patient records to facilitate telemedicine adoption. Policymakers should consider supporting training programs that will boost physicians’ confidence in effectively utilizing telemedicine.