Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41654785›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2026

Telemedicine and digital literacy across medical training: a multicentric analysis of behavioral and educational determinants of readiness.

Gianvincenzo Zuccotti, Valeria Calcaterra, Gabriele Infante, Martina Pisarra, Gianluca Damonte, Alberto Passi, Marcello Maggiolini, Fabio Ferretti, Marta Marsilio

Abstract readMulticenter Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Gianvincenzo Zuccotti *Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Valeria Calcaterra *Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Via Castelvetro n. 32, Milano, 20154, Italy. valeria.calcaterra@unipv.it.
Gabriele InfanteDepartment of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Martina PisarraDepartment of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Gianluca DamonteDepartment of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Alberto PassiDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
Marcello MaggioliniDepartment of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.
Fabio FerrettiDepartment of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Marta MarsilioDepartment of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.

Funding

NextGenerationEU MUSA_PNRR
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe rapid digital transformation of healthcare organizations requires the acquisition of not only clinical but also digital and telemedicine competencies, starting from the academic path. However, despite the emergence of global and national initiatives, the integration of digital health training into medical education remains inconsistent.

objectivesThrough a multicentric study, this research aimed to (i) investigate the digital and eHealth literacy profiles among medical students and residents, (ii) assess their experiences, attitudes, and intentions toward telemedicine, and (iii) identify determinants of interest in future telemedicine utilization, focusing on the interplay between technical, behavioral, and educational factors.

methodsA cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted (July 2024–February 2025) across five Italian universities. The survey explored two components of the readiness of future physicians, technical and behavioural. For the technical readiness, items from the IT-eHEALS scale and the DIGCOMP framework were included. Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests, random forest modeling, and multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of telemedicine readiness.

resultsA total of 438 participants (285 students, 153 residents; 62% female) completed the survey. While 68% had heard of telemedicine, only 22% reported personal experience and 13% academic exposure. Most respondents expressed strong interest in telemedicine (83%) and a desire for specific training (83%). eHealth literacy was moderate-to-high (mean IT-eHEALS = 25.9 ± 5.6), though higher-order evaluative skills showed variability across institutions. Logistic regression identified technology enthusiasm (OR = 4.76; p = 0.001), smartphone confidence (OR = 3.20; p = 0.015), and eHEALS score (p = 0.050) as independent predictors of telemedicine readiness, with a significant interaction between enthusiasm and confidence (p = 0.021).

conclusionsMedical trainees show high motivation but uneven preparedness for telemedicine in practice. Educational reforms should embed structured, longitudinal digital-health training that combines technical proficiency with critical, ethical, and behavioral competencies. Strengthening digital readiness at all stages of medical education is essential to prepare physicians for technology-enabled, patient-centered healthcare.

Indexed as

Computer LiteracyEducation, MedicalStudents, MedicalTelemedicineAdultAttitude of Health PersonnelCross-Sectional StudiesDigital HealthFemaleHumansInternship and ResidencyItalyMaleSurveys and QuestionnairesDigital competenciesDigital health literacyEHealth readinessMedical educationTelemedicine

Identifiers

PMID41654785
PMCPMC12977645

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.