EDUCATION & TRAINING Determinants of Telemedicine Acceptance in Selected Public Hospitals in Malaysia: Clinical Perspective

Abstract The purpose of this study is to explore the determi-nants of telemedicine acceptance in selected public hospitals in Malaysia and to investigate the effect of health culture on the relationship between these determinants and telemedicine accep-tance. Data were gathered by means of a survey of physicians and nurses as themain group of users of telemedicine technology from hospitals that are currently using telemedicine technology. The results indicated that government policies, top management support, perception of usefulness and computer self-efficiency have a positive and significant impact on telemedicine accep-tance by public hospitals inMalaysia. The results also confirmed the moderating role of health culture on the relationship between government policies as well as perceived usefulness on telemed-icine acceptance by Malaysian hospitals. The results are useful for decision-makers as well as managers to recognize the poten-tial role of telemedicine and assist in the process of implementa-tion, adoption and utilization, and, therefore, spread the usage of telemedicine technology in more hospitals in the country