Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Telemedicine has expanded rapidly in Pakistan, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, yet evidence on patient preferences and willingness to use telemedicine compared with in-person care remains limited. This study assesses patient preferences, willingness to use telemedicine, and perceived advantages and barriers relative to in-person healthcare services in Pakistan.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,000 adult patients attending public and private healthcare facilities across urban and semi-urban districts of Pakistan in 2024. The survey collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, prior experience with telemedicine, perceived quality of care, trust in providers, affordability, convenience, and access to digital technologies. Primary outcomes included stated preference for telemedicine versus in-person care and willingness to use telemedicine for future consultations. Multivariable logistic regression models examined factors associated with willingness to use telemedicine, adjusting for age, gender, education, income, place of residence, chronic disease status, prior telemedicine exposure, and digital literacy.
RESULTS: Overall, 57% of respondents preferred telemedicine for non-emergency consultations, while 43% preferred in-person care. Willingness to use telemedicine was significantly higher among younger respondents, individuals with higher education, and urban residents (p<0.01). Perceived advantages included reduced travel time and costs (64%), shorter waiting times (59%), and greater convenience (55%). Reported barriers included concerns about examination quality (48%), lack of physical assessment (44%), and limited trust in remote consultations (39%). After adjustment, prior telemedicine experience (OR=1.62, p<0.01), higher digital literacy (OR=1.45, p<0.01), and cost considerations (OR=1.31, p<0.05) were positively associated with willingness to use telemedicine.
CONCLUSIONS: A majority of patients in Pakistan are willing to use telemedicine for selected healthcare needs when convenience and cost savings are emphasized. Persistent concerns regarding quality of care and trust highlight the importance of provider training, patient education, and hybrid care models to support equitable, patient-centered digital health expansion. These findings inform national digital health policy and future service delivery planning.