Predicting Healthcare Professionals’ Use of Telehealth in China: A Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND While telehealth has become a transformative tool enhancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency, adoption rates in China remain low. Chinese healthcare professionals’ low telehealth adoption rates are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE Our study investigates the key factors influencing Chinese healthcare professionals’ intention to adopt and actual use of telehealth. Based on the results from estimating an integrated telehealth use framework, we also make recommendations for improving healthcare professionals’ telehealth adoption. METHODS Data on 10,372 healthcare professionals from the 2023 Xi’an Healthcare Worker Survey were analyzed, utilizing descriptive statistics (chi-square test, group differences), reliability testing (Cronbach’s α coefficients), Discriminant validity analysis (square root of average variance extracted) and fit tests. Based on our integrated telehealth use framework, structural equation modeling was employed to test hypotheses and path relationships, including multi-group analysis to examine demographic moderating effects. RESULTS Confirming our hypotheses on telehealth intention to use and actual use, the structural equation model showed strong fit indices. Key predictors of behavioral intention to use telehealth included effort expectancy, price value, performance expectancy, and social influence. Behavioral intention and facilitating conditions positively influenced actual use behavior, while demographic characteristics moderated specific relationships. CONCLUSIONS Our study identifies critical factors influencing healthcare professionals’ adoption of telehealth, including performance expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions. It offers an integrated framework to assess behavioral intentions and provides practical insights for advancing telehealth implementation in China. Tailored strategies for diverse demographics and institutions are essential for promoting sustainable adoption. CLINICALTRIAL This study was reviewed and approved by the Biomedical Ethics Committee of Xi’an Jiaotong University (approval number: XJTUAE2646).