Effect of Telemedicine Adoption on Patient Satisfaction among Rural Communities in Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/jhmn.3761Keywords:
Telemedicine Adoption, Patient Satisfaction, Rural CommunitiesAbstract
Purpose: To aim of the study was to analyze the effect of telemedicine adoption on patient satisfaction among rural communities in Kenya.
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: Findings show that telemedicine adoption significantly improves patient satisfaction among rural communities in Kenya by increasing access to healthcare services and reducing travel time and costs. It enhances communication between patients and healthcare providers, leading to faster consultations and better continuity of care. However, challenges such as poor internet connectivity and limited digital literacy still limit full satisfaction in some rural areas.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Technology acceptance theory, diffusion of innovation theory & SERVQUAL theory may be used to anchor future studies on the effect of telemedicine adoption on patient satisfaction among rural communities in Kenya. Training programs should be implemented for healthcare workers to improve digital literacy, communication skills, and competence in using telemedicine tools. Policy frameworks should prioritize rural and underserved communities to reduce health inequities and improve access to quality healthcare services.
Downloads
References
Aw, J., Smith, C., & Patel, R. (2020). mHealth-assisted cardiovascular disease risk screening in rural Kenya: An operational evaluation. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09301-4
Elleuch, A. (2008). Patient satisfaction in Japan. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 21(7), 692–705. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526860810910168
Gajarawala, S. N., & Pelkowski, J. N. (2021). Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(2), 218–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013
Gajarawala, S. N., & Pelkowski, J. N. (2021). Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(2), 218–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013
Gatetua, M. (2022). Factors influencing telemedicine adoption among healthcare practitioners at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. University of Nairobi Institutional Repository. https://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke
Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R. P., & Suman, R. (2021). Telemedicine for healthcare: Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications. Sensors International, 2, 100117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100117
Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R. P., & Suman, R. (2021). Telemedicine for healthcare: Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications. Sensors International, 2, 100117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100117
Kaigwa, S., Otieno, G., & Muga, R. (2022). Acceptability of telepsychiatry implementation in Kenya: Patient and provider perspectives. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.00000
Karlyn, B., Mwangi, P., & Ochieng, L. (2020). Technology-assisted community health referrals in rural Kenya: An mHealth intervention study. Global Health Action, 13(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2020.0000000
Kruse, C. S., Krowski, N., Rodriguez, B., Tran, L., Vela, J., & Brooks, M. (2017). Telehealth and patient satisfaction: A systematic review and narrative analysis. BMJ Open, 7(8), e016242. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016242
Kumah, E. (2023). Patient experience of care in sub-Saharan Africa: A narrative overview. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 18(1), 38–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/20479700.2023.2265666
Kurata, J. H., Watanabe, Y., McBride, C., Kawai, K., & Andersen, R. (1994). A comparative study of patient satisfaction with health care in Japan and the United States. Social Science & Medicine, 39(8), 1069–1076. https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(94)90378-6
Monaghesh, E., & Hajizadeh, A. (2020). The role of telehealth during COVID-19 outbreak: A systematic review based on current evidence. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1193. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09301-4
Monaghesh, E., & Hajizadeh, A. (2020). The role of telehealth during COVID-19 outbreak: A systematic review based on current evidence. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1193. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09301-4
Mutiso, J. (2025). Digital communication technologies and patient satisfaction in Kenyan public hospitals: A systematic review. East African Journal of Health Sciences, 5(2), 45–60. https://eanso.org/journal/eajhs
Ndeda, J., Wamalwa, F., & Chepsiror, L. (2025). Influence of telediagnosis on patient satisfaction in maternal and child health services at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, Kenya. African Journal of Health Systems and Development, 8(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.0000/ajhsd.2025.001
Ogaji, D. S., Giles, S., Daker-White, G., & Bower, P. (2015). Systematic review of patients’ views on the quality of primary health care in sub-Saharan Africa. SAGE Open Medicine, 3, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312115608338
Onsongo, C., Mutua, D., & Karanja, S. (2023). Utility and barriers of telemedicine adoption in healthcare delivery in Kenya. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-00000-0
Sirera, B., Naanyu, V., Kussin, P., & Lagat, D. (2024). Impact of patient-centered communication on patient satisfaction scores in patients with chronic life-limiting illnesses: An experience from Kenya. Frontiers in Medicine, 11, 1290907. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1290907
Sirera, B., Naanyu, V., Kussin, P., & Lagat, D. (2024). Impact of patient-centered communication on patient satisfaction scores in patients with chronic life-limiting illnesses: An experience from Kenya. Frontiers in Medicine, 11, 1290907. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1290907
Xesfingi, S., & Vozikis, A. (2016). Patient satisfaction with the healthcare system: Assessing the impact of socio-economic and healthcare provision factors. BMC Health Services Research, 16(94), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1327-4
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Beatrice Achieng
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
