Association between Telemedicine Use and Perceived Stigma among Psychiatric Outpatients: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Mental health disorders affect one in eight people and remain a significant global concern due to stigma, limited access, and treatment non-compliance. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising solution, offering reduced stigma and improved patient satisfaction. Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationship between telemedicine use and perceived stigma, satisfaction, and preferences among psychiatric outpatients. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed at three private psychiatric clinics in Jordan, using a convenience sampling method. A total of 120 psychiatric outpatients participated: 61 received telemedicine services and 59 attended in-person consultations. Data was collected using the “Client Satisfaction and Experience Survey for Telepsychiatry Services,” (Arabic version), which includes sub-scales for perceived stigma (8 items), satisfaction (6 items), and preferences (2 items). Data was collected via self-administered paper-based surveys between January 2024 and March 2024. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression were used to examine associations, controlling for age, gender, education, and employment. Results: Telemedicine users reported significantly lower stigma scores (2.50 ± 0.71) than in-person attendees (3.08 ± 0.62, p < 0.001). They also showed higher satisfaction (3.86 ± 0.70 vs. 3.30 ± 0.68) and preference scores (p < 0.05). Gender and education significantly influenced stigma levels (p < 0.05). Gender and education significantly influenced stigma levels after controlling for key sociodemographic variables. Conclusion: Telemedicine was associated with lower perceived stigma and higher satisfaction in psychiatric outpatient care. However, the cross-sectional design and convenience sampling limit causal inference and generalizability. Implications for Nursing: Incorporating telemedicine into mental health care can address stigma and improve accessibility, advancing patient-centered service delivery.