Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude of Using Telemedicine Among the Bachelor Degree Medical Students at Faculty of Medicine Alexandria University: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background/aimTelemedicine offers solutions to overcome geographic barriers and improve access to healthcare. The successful implementation of telemedicine relies on healthcare providers’ positive perceptions. As future healthcare professionals, medical students play a crucial role in sustaining its use. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes and willingness to adopt telemedicine among Bachelor degree medical students at Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine.Subjects and MethodsThis is an observational cross-sectional study design including 364 Bachelor degree medical students in Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University. Egypt. A convenience sampling technique was utilized. Data were collected through an English-language online questionnaire developed using Google Forms. The tool comprised four sections; sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge about telemedicine, attitudes toward telemedicine, and willingness to adopt it in future practice.ResultsThe study found that 31.3% of participants were aware of telemedicine programs in Egypt. Regarding knowledge of telemedicine tools, mobile applications (74.7%) and phone calls (47.8%) were the most commonly identified. Regarding exposure, 34.6% of participants had used telemedicine to consult a physician and among these users, over half reported being satisfied or extremely satisfied with the services. Moreover, a significantly higher proportion of males (15.8%) than females (6.2%) had attended telemedicine training (p=0.003).ConclusionThe present study reveals that medical students in Alexandria Faculty of Medicine showed limited knowledge, training and willingness to adopt telemedicine, despite recognizing its potential benefits. Incorporating structured telemedicine education and implementing national platforms are crucial to prepare future physicians for technology-mediated care in Egypt.