Preliminary Assessment of Ethiopian Physicians Taste for Telemedicine: the Case of Black Lion Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Telemedicine is an ideal solution to low income African countries struggling with health facilities and care providers shortages. This preliminary study explores physician’s level of acceptance and use of telemedicine system in Ethiopia. Data were gathered using a survey questionnaire based on UTAUT. Results show that physicians overall taste to the telemedicine system appears to be favourable. However, preliminary findings indicate that in order to contextualize UTAUT to the context of telemedicine three constructs from the conceptualization of “Compatibility beliefs” need to be added. Furthermore, an in depth investigation is needed to uncover the structural, organizational, and institutional factors impeding the adoption and use of telemedicine in the study area.