Medical Students Viewpoints towards Development of Telemedicine Methods at Army University of Medical Sciences

The study aimed to investigate the viewpoints of medical students towards the development of telemedicine methods at the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran (AJA) University of Medical Sciences.

This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study, which lasted 4 months, was performed on 117 medical students of AJA University of Medical Sciences in 2021. In doing so, a Stratified sampling method and researcher-made questionnaire were used to collect data. Thus, the inclusion criterion was being a medicine student and the exclusion criterion was the incomplete completion of the questionnaire.

Students showed the most positive view (90.6%) regarding organizational factors to having a codified program in telemedicine development, and the most positive view towards high-speed Internet access (92.3%) concerning technology factors.  In addition, as far as the stakeholders were concerned, they had the most positive view (70.1%) on community support for telemedicine development. As for information literacy, 88.9% emphasized computer and Internet skills. Also, 83.8% had the most positive view on raising awareness for telemedicine development regarding environmental factors.

To sum up, the students had the most positive attitudes towards comprehensive telemedicine development plan, high-speed Internet access, and community support for telemedicine development, computer skills, Internet, and awareness. Hence, it is recommended to enhance these factors to help the development and implementation of telemedicine in medical education.