Telemedicine readiness and competencies among Yemeni healthcare providers: Assessing awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and technical skills
1
Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Hadhramout University, Mukalla, Yemen
2
Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kelantan, Malaysia
3
School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kelantan, Malaysia
4
Interdisciplinary Research Unit, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kelantan, Malaysia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Telemedicine offers transformative potential to bridge geographic healthcare disparities and ensure equitable access in remote regions [1]. The realization of these benefits requires a comprehensive assessment of healthcare providers' competencies. This study aims to assess telemedicine Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude, and Skills (AKAS) of healthcare providers in Yemen.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study included 312 healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, technicians, and assistants, working at healthcare facilities in Hadhramout, Yemen. The finite population correction (FPC) formula was used to calculate the sample size [2], and 319 healthcare professionals were invited via a multistage cluster sampling approach. Data was collected from Jun to Dec 2025 using a self-administered questionnaire, adapted from a validated tool by Zayapragassarazan [3]. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequencies and percentages, and AKAS scores were categorized as low (≤49%), average (50–70%), or high (≥71%). Chi-square tests were used to compare AKAS scores and demographic variables, and t-tests and ANOVA were used to compare group differences. A p-value of ≤.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS:
Among all invited, 312 completed the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 97.8%. The findings demonstrated average awareness (39.4%), high knowledge (47.4%), predominantly positive attitudes (71.8% high), and more than one-third demonstrating average technical skills (41.7%). Providers’ attitude demonstrated significant geographic variation (p=0.002), and skills showed significant association with working sector (p=0.003). ANOVA results demonstrated significant differences: specialist-consultant physicians exhibited the highest attitude scores (46.90±5.065) and skills (27.60±11.138) compared to other specialties (p=0.003, p=0.001, respectively). Telemedicine-specific factors were highly predictive: formal training attendance significantly predicted awareness and knowledge (p=0.004); prior telemedicine experience predicted awareness (p=0.001); and computer knowledge correlated with awareness (p=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS:
Healthcare providers demonstrate foundational understanding of telemedicine and positive adoption intentions, yet require targeted training to address clinical knowledge gaps and develop technical skills to enable successful implementation.
Telemedicine offers transformative potential to bridge geographic healthcare disparities and ensure equitable access in remote regions [1]. The realization of these benefits requires a comprehensive assessment of healthcare providers' competencies. This study aims to assess telemedicine Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude, and Skills (AKAS) of healthcare providers in Yemen.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study included 312 healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, technicians, and assistants, working at healthcare facilities in Hadhramout, Yemen. The finite population correction (FPC) formula was used to calculate the sample size [2], and 319 healthcare professionals were invited via a multistage cluster sampling approach. Data was collected from Jun to Dec 2025 using a self-administered questionnaire, adapted from a validated tool by Zayapragassarazan [3]. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequencies and percentages, and AKAS scores were categorized as low (≤49%), average (50–70%), or high (≥71%). Chi-square tests were used to compare AKAS scores and demographic variables, and t-tests and ANOVA were used to compare group differences. A p-value of ≤.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS:
Among all invited, 312 completed the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 97.8%. The findings demonstrated average awareness (39.4%), high knowledge (47.4%), predominantly positive attitudes (71.8% high), and more than one-third demonstrating average technical skills (41.7%). Providers’ attitude demonstrated significant geographic variation (p=0.002), and skills showed significant association with working sector (p=0.003). ANOVA results demonstrated significant differences: specialist-consultant physicians exhibited the highest attitude scores (46.90±5.065) and skills (27.60±11.138) compared to other specialties (p=0.003, p=0.001, respectively). Telemedicine-specific factors were highly predictive: formal training attendance significantly predicted awareness and knowledge (p=0.004); prior telemedicine experience predicted awareness (p=0.001); and computer knowledge correlated with awareness (p=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS:
Healthcare providers demonstrate foundational understanding of telemedicine and positive adoption intentions, yet require targeted training to address clinical knowledge gaps and develop technical skills to enable successful implementation.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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