ArticleJournal of multidisciplinary healthcare2020
Frequency of Use, Perceptions and Barriers of Information and Communication Technologies Among Latin American Physicians: An Ecuadorian Cross-Sectional Study.
Article in Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Social Media Use for Health Purposes: Systematic Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2021Pooled it
- Adoption and Use of Social Media in Health Care Among Medical Residents: Cross-Sectional Study.JMIR medical education · 2026Article
- Healthcare Professionals' Interactions with Families of Hospitalized Patients Through Information Technologies: Toward the Integration of Artificial Intelligence.Nursing reports (Pavia, Italy) · 2025Article
- Telemedicine adoption in Ecuador: an assessment of physician perceptions and knowledge towards its benefits and limitations.mHealth · 2025Article
- Perceived Benefits and Disadvantages Associated with the Use of the Electronic Consultation Register by Health Providers in the Health District of Toma, Burkina Faso.International journal of MCH and AIDS · 2024Article
- Smartphone and Mobile App Use Among Physicians in Clinical Practice: Scoping Review.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2023Article
- A Narrative Review of Telemedicine in Latin America during the COVID-19 Pandemic.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Review
- Perceptions and knowledge of telemedicine in Ecuadorian practicing physicians: an instrument adaptation, validation and translation from English to Spanish.BMC public health · 2021Article
- How are patients with chronic urticaria interested in using information and communication technologies to guide their healthcare? A UCARE study.The World Allergy Organization journal · 2021Article
- The use of information and communication technologies in Latin American dentists: a cross-sectional study from Ecuador.BMC oral health · 2020Article
- Article
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
objectiveIn recent years, the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has increased in various sectors, among which the healthcare service is no exception. However, studies have mostly focused on the use of ICTs among patients with chronic diseases, with few reports on the advantages and barriers of these technologies among physicians, particularly in Latin America. We designed this study to fill in the gap, as an objective assessment of the frequency of use, perceptions, and barriers of ICTs among physicians remains crucial for a successful implementation of these technologies into the mainstream medical practice.
methodsWe conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey-based study in 640 Ecuadorian physicians. The survey used consisted of 13 items and evaluated the frequency of use, perceptions, and barriers of ICTs among physicians. Chi-square tests for goodness of fit and independence were performed, whilst Phi coefficient was interpreted to assess the strength of associations. Fisher exact test was performed when required.
resultsOver 90% of physicians reported the use of ICTs to message other colleagues and patients (p=0.000). While 89.5% of physicians used social media to interact with other colleagues, only 58.1% used them to interact with patients (p=0.000). Most participants reported the use of ICTs to search for academic information (p=0.000). Moreover, more than 80.0% agree that ICTs may be used to promote health and medical services, search new job opportunities, get involved in research projects and promote teamwork with colleagues. However, 83.6% of physicians expressed concerns about privacy and patient confidentiality, while 53.8% stated that they lacked the time to use ICTs.
conclusionHigh usage of ICTs was found among Ecuadorian physicians. Younger physicians, with less postgraduate years, and non-specialists were more likely to have a positive perception toward ICTs. Privacy and patient confidentiality, followed by time management, were the most reported barriers in our study.
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