ASSESSING TELEHEALTH SERVICE READINESS FOR ELDERLY CARE IN NAKHON RATCHASIMA

prma  Tandechawat; Hathairat Marpraneet Marpraneet; Krittiya Kantachote

doi:10.14456/tisr.2026.7

Authors

Prma TANDECHAWAT Faculty of Social Sciences, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand
Hathairat MARPRANEET Faculty of Social Sciences, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand
Krittiya KANTACHOTE Faculty of Social Sciences, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14456/tisr.2026.7

Keywords:

Telehealth Readiness, Elderly Care Integration, Digital Health Literacy, Primary Healthcare Services, Health Data Security

Abstract

This survey research investigates the readiness and current status of telehealth services across nineteen sub-districts in Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, focusing on perspectives from both medical personnel and elderly residents. A purposive sample of thirty-eight participants, equally divided between healthcare providers and elderly individuals, completed structured questionnaires. The findings reveal a significant service gap: over half of medical personnel have not implemented telehealth, citing critical shortages of essential equipment and comprehensive digital training. Conversely, the elderly participants demonstrate high capabilities in independent living and basic mobile phone usage, though their computer literacy remains moderate. Crucially, while older adults express strong expectations for continuous, convenient access to healthcare via telehealth, they voice substantial concerns about the security of their personal medical data and the clarity of remote communication. These insights underscore the urgent necessity for a multifaceted development strategy. Effective and sustainable telehealth expansion requires robust infrastructure investments, targeted capacity-building for medical staff, enhanced digital literacy programs tailored for seniors, and stringent data security protocols to adequately support the region's aging population.

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