A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TELEHEALTH AND TRADITIONAL HEALTHCARE IN NIGERIA

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study 

Telehealth has revolutionized the healthcare service delivery, provided a different and new approach to how people access healthcare services. Telehealth is the use of electronic information and communication technologies, such as video conferencing, mobile apps, and remote monitoring, to deliver healthcare services remotely. There are different types of telehealth, which are; Synchronous telehealth; this involves real time communication between a patient and a health care provider, Asynchronous telehealth; which is a store and forward communication, where medical information is transmitted electronically for consultation and diagnosis; Remote monitoring, this is the tracking of patients vital signs and health status remotely (American telemedicine association, 2020). Telehealth has existed for decades but became prevalent during the COVID-19 Pandemic around 2020-2021 (Adeoye and Olaogun, 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the adoption of telehealth globally and in Nigeria, highlighting its potential to provide continuous care while minimizing the risk of virus transmission (Iyengar et al., 2020). Telehealth services has its own challenges which include; awareness, technical issues, regulations, compliance, security and privacy challenges. Telehealth services handle sensitive patient data, which may attract cyber criminals. Telehealth services are vulnerable to cyber-attacks, data breaches, and unauthorized access to patients’ data (Okereafor and Adebola, 2021).  In Nigeria, telehealth has been gradually adopted, with several telehealth platforms and services emerging (Ojo et al., 2020). However, the effectiveness of telehealth in Nigeria remains uncertain, with limited research existing on its comparative effectiveness with traditional healthcare (Adenekan et al., 2020).

Traditional healthcare relies on face-to-face interactions between patients and healthcare professionals, usually in a clinic or hospital setting (Renew health, 2023).  Traditional healthcare services in Nigeria faces numerous challenges such as increased population, lack of infrastructure, overcrowded healthcare facilities, long waiting time, and a high burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases (Olumide, 2019). 

Telehealth and traditional healthcare services, both focus on providing medical care to patients. Its key difference, is in the mode of delivery.  Telehealth leverages technology to bridge the healthcare barrier, while traditional healthcare leverages face to face interaction with patients. (Renew health, 2023). The availability of different access to healthcare services serves a greater purpose as they give room for choice, affordability, convenience, and flexibility (Nwoke, 2022). In recent times, telehealth offers an alternative to traditional healthcare delivery. It is therefore necessary to compare the effectiveness of telehealth and traditional healthcare in Nigeria.

1.2 Statement of the Study.

   Telehealth has proven to have more potential benefits compared to the traditional healthcare delivery in Nigeria. However, there are certain challenges which poses as an impediment to its success in Nigeria. Significant portions of the population may still lack access to the necessary technologies or digital literacy skills required to use telehealth services effectively (Adeoye & Olaogun, 2020). Many telehealth care providers may lack the training, resources, and technical competence needed to effectively implement telehealth solutions (Gagnon et al., 2016) Concerns about the quality of care, privacy, and security of personal health information can impact patients' willingness to use telehealth services (Okereafor & Adebola, 2021). These issues are more pronounced in rural and underserved urban areas where healthcare infrastructure is scarce and the ratio of healthcare providers to patients is critically low (Olumide, 2019).

   Traditional healthcare being more popular and assessable to individuals due to its hands on approach to certain medical needs like surgery, physical examination, emergency diagnosis etc. is still in close contest with the emerging telehealth in Nigeria. Due to the merits and demerits of both telehealth and traditional healthcare in Nigeria, it is therefore necessary to study the effectiveness of telehealth and traditional healthcare in Nigeria.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The primary objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of telehealth and traditional healthcare in Nigeria. Specific objectives of the study include;

Determine whether there is a significant difference in the accessibility of telehealth and traditional healthcare services in Nigeria.

Determine whether there is a significant difference between the quality of care provided through telehealth and traditional healthcare.

Determine whether there is a significant difference in the healthcare delivery efficiency between telehealth and traditional healthcare,

Determine whether there is a significant difference in the effectiveness of telehealth and traditional healthcare in managing chronic diseases in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

   Here are some research questions that would be answered during the course of this study.

Is there a significant difference in the accessibility of telehealth and traditional healthcare services in Nigeria?

Is there a significant difference between the quality of care provided through telehealth and traditional healthcare?

Is there a significant difference in the healthcare delivery efficiency between telehealth and traditional healthcare?

Is there a significant difference in the healthcare delivery efficiency between telehealth and traditional healthcare?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Here are some Hypothesis based on the research study.

H0: There is no significant difference in the healthcare delivery efficiency between telehealth and traditional healthcare.

H1: There is a significant difference in the healthcare delivery efficiency between telehealth and traditional healthcare.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The significance of the study on a comparative study of the effectiveness of telehealth and traditional healthcare in Nigeria, would contribute to existing literature on the effectiveness of telehealth.

The study seeks to contribute to the development of a more efficient, accessible, and equitable healthcare in Nigeria.

This study would guide the development of strategies to improve healthcare delivery and access, particularly in underserved areas.

This study would also shed more light on the strength and weaknesses of both telehealth and traditional healthcare approach in Nigeria.

Scope of the Study

The study would focus on comparing the effectiveness of telehealth and traditional healthcare in Nigeria. Empirically, the study would determine whether there is a significant difference in the accessibility of telehealth and traditional healthcare services in Nigeria, determine whether there is a significant difference between the quality of care provided through telehealth and traditional healthcare, determine whether there is a significant difference in the healthcare delivery efficiency between telehealth and traditional healthcare, and determine whether there is a significant difference in the effectiveness of telehealth and traditional healthcare in managing chronic diseases in Nigeria.

This study would be carried out in Nigeria.

Limitation of the Study

The study may not be carried out for an extensive period of time to compare the effectiveness of telehealth and traditional healthcare in Nigeria. The sample size is also limited to Nigeria, which may not effectively compare the effectiveness of telehealth and traditional healthcare in Nigeria.

The study relies of self-reported data, which is subject to biases, errors and inaccuracies.

Definition of Terms

Telehealth: it is the use of electronic information and communication technologies, such as video conferencing, mobile apps, and remote monitoring, to deliver healthcare services remotely.

Traditional healthcare relies on face-to-face interactions between patients and healthcare professionals, usually in a clinic or hospital setting.

Effectiveness: the degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result; success.