Patient Perceptions and Acceptance of Digital Radiography and Teleradiology in India: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

Background: Digital radiography and teleradiology have emerged as transformative tools in India’s healthcare landscape, addressing critical gaps in diagnostic access, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Despite their potential to reduce travel burdens, enable timely diagnoses, and optimize resource allocation, patient acceptance remains pivotal to their sustainable integration. Limited empirical insights into patient perceptions of these technologies in the Indian context underscore the need for this study.

Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted across urban and rural tertiary care centers in Punjab, India, involving 512 participants. Quantitative data were collected via structured surveys assessing awareness, trust, satisfaction, and willingness to adopt digital radiography and teleradiology. Qualitative insights were derived from semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (30 participants) exploring lived experiences, concerns, and expectations. Statistical analyses included regression modeling, while thematic analysis identified patterns in qualitative responses.

Results: Quantitative results showed moderate general knowledge about teleradiology (58%), while there was a high willingness to use teleradiology (82%), due to a reduction of travel activities and acceleration of therapies. Higher proportion of urban youth reported awareness (72%) when compared to their rural counterparts (44%). There was confidence in digital accuracy (78%) but concerns over data privacy (65%) and impersonal care (49%) remained. Qualitative themes raised a sense of appreciation for effortlessness and quickness, but anxiousness about technical problems, poor communication, and privacy issues.

Conclusion: Although the acceptability of digital radiographs and teleradiology is encouraging among patients in India, there are knowledge gaps and concerns for privacy issues and provider communication that need to be addressed. Education programs, approaches to data sharing and care models which focus on the patient are needed to support trust and fair adoption. These findings advocate policy and infrastructural reforms to align technological advancements with patient needs, ensuring inclusive healthcare delivery.