A national survey of primary care physicians’ self-reported use of and attitudes to telemedicine consultations with patients in Sweden

Objective Using a nationally representative sample of primary care physicians the aim was to investigate (1) potential demographic variations (age, gender, employer, country of education and clinical experience) in self-reported use of and attitudes to telemedicine consultations and (2) whether general health, turnover intention and job satisfaction were associated with an increased self-reported use of and positive attitudes toward telemedicine consultations. Methods This cross-sectional study utilised data from the 2022 Longitudinal Occupational Health survey in Healthcare Sweden (LOHHCS), which included questions on medical background, work environment, and demographics, as well as use and attitude toward telemedicine consultations. Data were analysed using logistic regressions. Results Of 7908 invited physicians, 2712 responded (34% response rate), including 1099 primary care physicians. Approximately 70% of respondents reported using telemedicine consultations, and ∼60% of those users reported very or quite positive attitudes toward telemedicine. Reported telemedicine use was strongly associated with positive attitudes. Physicians with longer clinical experience were more likely to report using telemedicine but less likely to express positive attitudes. Use of and positive attitudes towards telemedicine consultations were associated with self-reported high job satisfaction, but also high turnover intention. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of not viewing digitalisation as a straightforward solution to job satisfaction or retention issues. While causality cannot be determined, the findings suggest that using telemedicine helps physicians appreciate its benefits, fostering positive attitudes and increasing their satisfaction with work.