Technological Infrastructure and Resource Availability: Telemedicine Adoption Drivers and Health Service Delivery in Murang’a County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/jbsm.3653Keywords:
Technological Infrastructure, Resource Availability, Telemedicine Adoption Drivers, and Health Service DeliveryAbstract
Purpose: Health service delivery plays a vital role in determining the accessibility, efficiency, and quality of healthcare in Kenya. In Murang’a County, persistent challenges such as limited access to specialized care, long waiting times, and shortages of healthcare personnel, particularly in rural areas, continue to hinder effective service provision. To mitigate these challenges, the county government has initiated the adoption of telemedicine as a strategy to enhance access, efficiency, and quality of healthcare delivery. The study aimed to find out what motivates people to use telemedicine and how health services are provided in Murang’a County, Kenya. The specific adoption drivers considered in the study comprised of technological infrastructure and resource availability.
Methodology: To give a thorough theoretical framework, the study was based on the Resource-Based View Theory and Diffusion of Innovations Theory. A descriptive research design was employed, targeting a population of 40 health facilities across Murang’a county where telemedicine had been implemented. The units of observation comprised of one medical officer, one clinical officer, and one health records officer in each health facility. The study employed a purposive sampling approach to include 132 respondents. A standardized questionnaire containing 5-point Likert scale items was used in gathering primary data. A drop-and-pick method of data collecting was used in the study. The data was analyzed using a mix of descriptive (means and standard deviations) and inferential (correlation and regression analysis) statistics using SPSS v25 and Microsoft Excel. A multiple linear regression model was used to look at how different aspects of telemedicine adoption are linked to the way health services are delivered.
Findings: The results revealed that telemedicine adoption drivers comprising of technological infrastructure and resource availability positively and significantly influenced health service delivery in Murang’a County. This was shown through beta values of 0.337 and 0.251 with corresponding significant values of 0.000 and 0.000. According to the study's findings, increasing each telemedicine adoption driver by one unit increases the degree of health service provision with the corresponding units of the beta value.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: In order to ensure effective and accessible service delivery, the study recommends investing in a strong technology infrastructure, and allocating more resources in order to increase the efficacy of telemedicine in Murang'a County.
Downloads
References
Alami, H., Gagnon, M. P., & Fortin, J. P. (2020). Digital health and the challenge of health systems transformation. Healthcare Management Forum, 33(4), 219–225.
Almarri, K., & Gardiner, P. (2014). Application of Resource-based View to Project Management Research: Supporters and Opponents. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 119, 437–445.
Almeman, A. (2024). The digital transformation in pharmacy: embracing online platforms and the cosmeceutical paradigm shift. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 43(1).
Alqahtany, A. S., Khrami, . A., Alsharari, . S., Alsharari, S. F., Alshamari, M. R., Alsharari, A. S., Alshamari, M. F., & Alshamari, G. S. (2022). Advancements in telemedicine: Transforming healthcare delivery and enhancing access for providers and patients alike. International journal of health sciences, 6(S10), 1771–1785.
Amboyi, E. K., Kaluyu, V., & Okello, G. (2024). Effect of Technological Capabilities on Transient Competitive Advantage among Hospitals in Kenya. The University Journal, 6(1), 58–67.
Antonacci, G., Benevento, E., & Bonavitacola, F. (2023). Drivers, barriers and benefits of telemedicine adoption: Perspectives from the Italian National Health Service. Health Policy and Technology, 12(4), 100876.
Casteel, A., & Bridier, N. (2021). Describing populations and samples in doctoral student research. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 16, 339–362.
Chang, M. H., Berkman, A. M., & Penfold, R. B. (2024). Patient characteristics associated with telemedicine use for primary care and specialty ambulatory encounters: A cross-sectional analysis of a national survey. Telemedicine and e-Health, 30(6), 1622–1630.
Dearing, J. W., & Cox, J. G. (2018). Diffusion Of Innovations Theory, Principles, And Practice. Health Affairs, 37(2), 183–190.
Donelan, K., Barreto, E. A., Sossong, S., Michael, C., Estrada, J. J., Cohen, A. B., & Wozniak, J. (2019). Patient and clinician experiences with telehealth for patient follow-up care. The American Journal of Managed Care, 25(1), 40–44.
Etikan, I., & Bala, K. (2017). Sampling and sampling methods. Biometrics & Biostatistics International Journal, 5(6), 215–217.
Gorard, S. (2013). Research design: Creating robust approaches for the social sciences. Los Angeles: SAGE.
Kruk, M. E., & Freedman, L. P. (2008). Assessing health system performance in developing countries: A review of the literature. Health Policy, 85(3), 263–276.
Kyei, S., Kwarteng, M. A., Asare, A. D., Adomako, I., & Amoaku, W. M. (2024). Challenges and opportunities of the emergence of telemedicine in Ghana: Experiences from the Greater Accra Region. Digital Health, 10, 20552076241283474.
Levesque, J. F., Harris, M. F., & Russell, G. (2013). Patient-centred access to health care: Conceptualising access at the interface of health systems and populations. International Journal for Equity in Health, 12(1), 18.
Ministry of Health. (2023). Health Sector Regulatory Frameworks in Kenya. Government Printer.
Mugenda, A. & O. Mugenda, (2013). Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. Nairobi: ACTS Press.
Murang'a County Government. (2024). Telemedicine Information, MUrang'a County Government. https://www.muranga.go.ke/telemedicine.php
Murray, C. J. L., & Frenk, J. (2000). A framework for assessing the performance of health systems. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 78(6), 717–731.
Nassaji, H. (2015). Qualitative and descriptive research: Data Type Versus Data Analysis. Language Teaching Research, 19(2), 129–132.
Nemati, A. R., Bhatti, A. M., Maqsal, M., Mansoor, I., & Naveed, F. (2010). Impact of Resource Based View and Resource Dependence Theory on Strategic Decision Making. International Journal of Business and Management, 5(12), 106-112
Omondi, M. (2023). Factors Affecting Adoption Of Telemedicine In Healthcare Service Delivery By Medical Officers At The Nairobi Hospital, Nairobi [Unpublished Masters]. United States International University - Africa.
Parajuli, R., & Doneys, P. (2017). Exploring the role of telemedicine in improving access to healthcare services by women and girls in rural Nepal. Telematics and Informatics, 34(7), 1166–1176.
Riemer-Reiss, M. L. (1999). Applying Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations Theory to Assistive Technology Discontinuance. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 30(4), 16–21.
Sabourin, V. (2020). The Resources-Based View and Innovation: Some Research Propositions. International Journal of Business Management and Economic Review, 03(03), 83–92.
Singh, V., & Dev, V. (2021). Telemedicine Adoption in India: Identifying Factors Affecting Intention to Use and Competitive Advantage. International Journal of Healthcare Information Systems and Informatics, 16(4), 1–18.
Taherdoost, H. (2016). Validity and reliability of the research instrument; how to test the validation of a questionnaire/survey in a Research. SSRN Electronic Journal, 5(3), 28–36.
Ukaoha, K., & Egbokhare, F. (2022). Telemedicine in Nigeria: A Strategic Tool for Enhancing Healthcare Delivery and Competitive Advantage in Rural Communities. Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences, 3(1), 49-56
USA. (2024). Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024. Home — U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina. https://www.scott.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Telehealth-Modernization-Act.pdf
Venkataraman, G., Vijay, N., Varkey, B., Chandan, N., Ramasamy, S., & Ganapathy, K. (2024). Facilitators and barriers to implementation of telemedicine in India: A systematic review from a stakeholders’ perspective. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 49(5), 691–702.
Willie, M. (2022). Differentiating between population and target population in research studies. International Journal Of Medical Science And Clinical Research Studies, 02(06), 521–523.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2010). Monitoring the building blocks of health systems: A handbook of indicators and their measurement strategies. Geneva: WHO.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Jully Awino Ateng, Dr. Rosemary Wanyoike
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
