KNOWLEDGE OF E-HEALTH CARE SERVICES AMONG EYE-CARE PROVIDERS

ABSTRACT

E-Health is an essential information sharing tool in healthcare management and delivery worldwide. However, utilization of e-Health may only be possible if healthcare professionals have positive attitudes towards e-Health.The nature and functions of e-Health services are expanding rapidly and have the potential if not only improving health, but also to reduce health care costs, enhance scientific understanding of health issues, increase equity of health care, and improve communication between health care providers and patients.This study aimed to assess the knowledge of e-Health care services among eye-care providers.This is a cross-sectional study that was carried out in government and private hospitals/ eye clinics in Benin City. A pre-tested questionnaire was distributed to the eye-care providers of 164 respondents,out of the 164 respondents interviewed in this study, 70.1% of them had good knowledge of e-Health care services, while 100.0% of them had positive attitude towards e-Health.Data collected was analyzed using the statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) computer software version 22.0.The data is presented in percentages tables and pie charts.Chi square test was used to check for association between variables.There was a significant difference in the knowledge of the respondents based on age, sex, workplace and profession (p<0.05).While there was no difference in the knowledge of the respondents based on work experience.This study will provide basic information regarding eye-care providers knowledge, attitude and barriers towards e-Health.This would help policy makers in developing appropriate strategies that can lead to successful implementation and use of e-Health system.I therefore recommend that patients should be educated about the benefits of e-Health care services, such as telemedicine appointments and online appointment scheduling. This can improve patient engagement.