Patient acceptance of video consultations in cardiology

Cardiovascular disease is the leading global cause of mortality. Traditional face-to-face cardiovascular care, while effective, poses challenges such as travel burdens and accessibility issues. Video consultations offer a modern solution, improving access and efficiency while reducing patient strain. This study investigates patient acceptance of video consultations in cardiovascular care using a survey-based approach, assessing key factors influencing their integration into routine practice.

A cross-sectional study including patients attending a cardiological university hospital was conducted. Acceptance of video consultations and its associated factors were assessed using a modified assessment instrument based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. The study comprised 337 participants (M = 61.13 years, SD = 14.54), 54.6% male. Acceptance was moderate (M = 2.88, SD = 1.37), with 30.27% of the participants reporting high acceptance, 28.19% reporting moderate acceptance, and 41.54% low acceptance. Only 3% had used video consultations before. eHealth literacy was high, while digital confidence was moderate. Analysis showed that higher education, digital confidence, and eHealth literacy predicted greater acceptance of video consultations. Effort expectancy, performance expectancy (PE), and social influence (SI) accounted for most of the variance in acceptance (R² = 0.724).

We identified moderate acceptance of video consultations in cardiology, with education, digital confidence, eHealth literacy, and PE as key factors associated with acceptance. Despite low prior use, perceived ease of use and SI were most strongly associated with acceptance. Addressing technical concerns and promoting digital literacy may enhance adoption, improving access to remote cardiac care.