EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF TELEHEALTH ON HEALTHCARE ACCESS IN SUB-URBAN AREAS IN ABUJA, FCT. NIGERIA.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background of the Study

Telehealth refers to the remote delivery of healthcare services using electronic information and communication technologies, such as video conferencing, smartphone apps, and remote monitoring. Various forms of telehealth include: Synchronous telehealth refers to the immediate and simultaneous communication between a patient and a healthcare professional. Asynchronous telehealth refers to a method of communication called store and forward, in which medical information is electronically exchanged for the purpose of consultation and diagnosis. Remote monitoring refers to the process of tracking a patient's vital signs and overall health state from a distance, as defined by the American Telemedicine Association in 2020. 

Access to healthcare in Nigeria especially the sub-urban areas is challenging. These challenges include inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of healthcare professionals, and long travel distances to healthcare facilities, and socio-economic barriers that impede individuals' ability to seek timely medical care (Olumide, 2019). While urban areas may have better internet connectivity, significant portions of the sub-urban population may still lack access to the necessary technologies or digital literacy skills required to use telehealth services effectively (Adeoye & Olaogun, 2020). Without clear guidelines and standards, healthcare providers may struggle to implement telehealth solutions that meet necessary requirements for effective healthcare delivery (Bashir & Bastola, 2018).

In as much as sub- urban areas are close in proximity to urban areas in Abuja, they still face relatively poor healthcare delivery. The services and benefits telehealth provides can help bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients, reducing the need for physical travel and providing timely access to medical expertise (WHO, 2016). According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), internet penetration in Nigeria reached over 50% in 2021, with significant growth in mobile phone subscriptions, which surpassed 200 million (NCC, 2021). During the pandemic, telehealth played a crucial role in maintaining healthcare delivery, particularly for chronic disease management and routine consultations (Iyengar et al., 2020). Despite the proponent growth, development and benefits telehealth has in Nigeria, it still remains under-researched, and also, the regulatory environment for telehealth in Nigeria is still evolving. Robust regulatory frameworks are needed to ensure the quality, safety, and security of telehealth services. Without clear guidelines and standards, healthcare providers may struggle to implement telehealth solutions that meet necessary requirements for effective healthcare delivery (Bashir & Bastola, 2018). Additionally, patient acceptance and trust in telehealth are vital for its success. Concerns about the quality of care, privacy, and security of personal health information can impact patients' willingness to use telehealth services (Okereafor & Adebola, 2021).

The emergence of telehealth serves as a bridge to mitigate the various healthcare delivery challenges faced in Nigeria, particularly the urban areas. Some of the benefits of telehealth include; improved accessibility, reduced travel time, and cost savings, have been documented in various studies (Kruse et al., 2017). There is still need to properly research and understand the impact telehealth has on urban areas in Nigeria, particularly in terms of patients’ outcomes, health care provider readiness, and patient acceptance, trust, and satisfaction.

1.2 Statement of the Study

Telehealth has emerged as a solution to the difficult healthcare delivery services faced in Nigeria. It proffers a solution to the various challenges Nigerians face in accessing healthcare services. The benefits of telehealth, such as improved accessibility, reduced travel time, and cost savings, have been documented in various studies (Kruse et al., 2017).

However, there are still some hindrances to its advancement in Nigeria. The impact of telehealth on healthcare access in sub-urban areas of Abuja, FCT, is not well understood, particularly in terms of patient outcomes, healthcare provider readiness, and patient acceptance (Olamide, 2019). One significant issue is the digital divide. Despite advancements in internet and mobile technology, significant portions of the population in sub-urban Abuja may lack access to the necessary technologies or digital literacy skills required to use telehealth services effectively (Adeoye & Olaogun, 2020). Studies have shown that healthcare providers' attitudes towards telehealth, as well as their technical competence, significantly influence the success of telehealth implementation (Gagnon et al., 2016). Additionally, patient acceptance and trust in telehealth are vital for its success. Concerns about the quality of care, privacy, and security of personal health information can impact patients' willingness to use telehealth services (Okereafor & Adebola, 2021).

Given these propensities, there is a need to examine the impact of telehealth on health care access in sub-urban areas in Nigeria.

Objectives of the Study.

The primary objective of the study is to examine the impact telehealth has on healthcare access in sub-urban areas in Nigeria. Specifically, the objective of the study include:

Evaluate the level of awareness of telehealth among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria.

Assess role of telehealth in improving healthcare accessibility among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria.

Evaluate the level of telehealth acceptability among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria.

Identify the barriers to the effective utilization of telehealth among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria.

Proffer recommendation for improving the use and acceptance of telehealth among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria.

Research Questions

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

What is level of awareness of telehealth among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria?

What is the role of telehealth play in improving healthcare accessibility among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria?

What is the level of telehealth acceptability among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria?

What are the barriers to the effective utilization of telehealth among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria?

What are the recommendations for improving the use and acceptance of telehealth among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria?

Research Hypothesis

Here are some hypothesis based on the research study;

H0: Telehealth does not play any significant role in improving healthcare accessibility among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria.

H1: Telehealth plays a significant role in improving healthcare accessibility among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria.

Significance of the Study

The significance of the study is to exam the impact of telehealth on healthcare access in sub-urban areas in Abuja, FCT. 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 sub-urban areas in Abuja, FCT. Nigeria,

This study would guide the development of strategies to improve healthcare delivery and access, particularly in sub-urban areas in Abuja, FCT. Nigeria,

This study would also shed more light on the strength and weaknesses of telehealth in sub-urban areas in Abuja, FCT. Nigeria,

Scope of the Study

This study focuses on examining the impact of telehealth on healthcare access in sub-urban areas in Abuja, FCT. Nigeria. Empirically, this study would, evaluate the level of awareness of telehealth among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria, assess role of telehealth in improving healthcare accessibility among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria, evaluate the level of telehealth acceptability among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria, identify the barriers to the effective utilization of telehealth among residents of sub-urban areas in Nigeria, and proffer recommendation for improving the use and acceptance of telehealth among residents of sub-urban areas 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 examine the impact of telehealth on healthcare access in sub-urban areas in Abuja, FCT. Nigeria. The sample size is also limited to sub-urban areas in Abuja, FCT. Nigeria and which may not effectively examine the impact of telehealth on healthcare access in sub-urban areas in Abuja, FCT. 

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.

Urban area: is the region surrounding a city. Most inhabitants of urban areas have non-agricultural jobs. Urban areas are very developed, meaning there is a density of human structures, such as houses, commercial buildings, roads, bridges, and railways. “Urban area " can refer to towns, cities, and suburbs.

Resident: a person who lives somewhere permanently or on a long-term basis