Enablers and Barriers of Telemedicine in Indonesia: A Systematic Review
Dian Anandari, Arif Kurniawan, Elviera Gamelia

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic changed the way people live, including in health sector. Health services utilization, which was telemedicine became more familiar during pandemic, including in Indonesia.

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to describe telemedicine utilization in Indonesia and which factors could become enablers and barriers.
Methods: Articles to be reviewed were published in 2019-2002 and selected from Science Direct, Springer, ProQuest dan EBSCOhost databases by using keywords ^telemedicine utilization health service Indonesia^. The article was a research article and used qualitative methods.

Results: Based on search results and screening process, seven articles met the criteria to be reviewed. The result of this review was that users^ (patients^) fear of COVID-19 infection in health facility could be a reason of utilizing telemedicine, but their knowledge, attitude, and skill in using the technology could become a barrier. For (health) providers, primary health service could use telemedicine to consult with specialists, but since doctors give service offline at health service and online by using telemedicine, long queue of consultation request was a barrier. Related to infrastructures, smart city development enables telemedicine utilization since government began to use technology in giving services, including in health sector, but internet connectivity became a barrier.

Conclusion: These findings suggested that telemedicine utilization to reach many people in Indonesia, especially in the area that had difficulty in accessing health facility, could be made by providing adequate internet connection. Patients also needed user-friendly technology in the form of e-health and m-health. There also should be health workers available every time patients need virtual consultations.

Keywords: Telemedicine utilization, health service, Indonesia

Topic: Health policy, health services and health economic