Telediagnosis and Patient Satisfaction in Maternal and Child Health Services at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Despite widespread adoption of telemedicine, healthcare systems face challenges in implementing effective telediagnosis services, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This study investigated a critical research gap: the influence of telediagnosis utilization on patient satisfaction among maternal and child health service seekers at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, Kenya. A mixed-methods design was applied, combining a cross-sectional survey of 204 patients with key informant interviews from healthcare providers. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and linear regression, while qualitative insights contextualized patient experiences. Results showed high satisfaction across telediagnosis dimensions (mean scores 4.12–4.31), with patients reporting confidence in diagnostic accuracy, timeliness, and service accessibility. However, inferential analysis revealed that telediagnosis was not a significant predictor of satisfaction (r = −0.138, p = 0.055; B = −0.126, p = 0.055), suggesting that structural and relational factors may play a larger role. Providers highlighted the need for robust infrastructure, stable connectivity, and training to maximize impact. This study contributes by offering rare quantitative evidence from a Kenyan public hospital and by showing that while telediagnosis enhances convenience and perceived quality, it alone does not determine satisfaction. The findings underscore the innovation of integrating digital diagnostics into maternal and child health services but emphasize the practical requirement of complementary investments in infrastructure, staff capacity, and patient education. These insights are critical for policymakers and health managers designing sustainable digital health interventions in similar low-resource settings.