Telemedicine Adoption; A Concept Analysis

Abstract

Telemedicine adoption has emerged as a vital component of modern healthcare systems, yet its conceptual boundaries remain unclear and inconsistently applied across the literature. This study aims to clarify the concept of telemedicine adoption through a structured concept analysis using the Walker and Avant framework. A systematic examination of existing literature was undertaken to identify defining attributes, antecedents, consequences, empirical referents, and illustrative cases related to telemedicine adoption. The analysis demonstrates that telemedicine adoption is not limited to initial technology acceptance but represents a sustained, multidimensional process involving regular use, integration into clinical workflows, user competence, organizational support, and enabling policy environments. Key antecedents include technological infrastructure, digital literacy, leadership commitment, and regulatory readiness, while consequences encompass improved access to care, enhanced patient and provider satisfaction, continuity of services, and greater system efficiency. By offering a clear and comprehensive conceptualization, this study provides a theoretical foundation to support consistent measurement, guide implementation strategies, and inform future research and policy initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable and equitable telemedicine integration.