Exploring readiness to engage in telehealth among adults accessing allied health services in the Greater Western Sydney region beyond COVID-19.
Clarice Tang1,2,3, Balwinder Sidhu3, Elise Baker2,3,4 1Victoria University, Footscray , Victoria, Australia2Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia3South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW , Australia4Ingham Institute of Applied Sciences, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
Abstract
Background: With the increasing number of allied health services offering telehealth, health services must consider if introduction of such services will disadvantage people from vulnerable populations such as the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population. This study aims to i) evaluate the extent of readiness to engage in telehealth among adults using allied health services residing in the Greater Western Sydney region, a culturally diverse population, and ii) the differences in readiness between CALD and non-CALD groups.
Method: A prospective cross-sectional study where patients completed a 32-item survey, including questions related to demographic characteristics, access to technology and their willingness to engage in the use of telehealth. Survey was translated into four other languages. Results were first descriptively analysed. An odds-ratio calculation was used to evaluate the differences in odds with engagement in telehealth between CALD and non-CALD groups.
Results: A total of 260 patients with a mean age of 60.9 years were recruited. 52.9% (n=139) self-identified to be from a CALD background. Despite 80.0% (n=208) of patients having access to technology, only 43.5% (n=113) were willing to engage in telehealth. Patients from CALD backgrounds had higher odds of engaging in telehealth as compared to people from non-CALD backgrounds (OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.2).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that willingness to engage in telehealth is poor even though access to technology is high. Contrary to the literature, people from CALD backgrounds may be more willing to engage in telehealth for future allied health services than people from non-CALD backgrounds.
Biography
Professor Clarice Tang is a researcher who specialises in consumer-led research utilising experience-based co-design methodology. She is especially passionate about working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She has co-designed and implemented various culturally appropriate programs for different cultural groups over a multitude of chronic diseases including chronic respiratory diseases and osteoporosis.