Telemedicine – future application and training necessity: survey of Bulgarian and foreign medical students
General Medicine, 2025, 27(1), 3-9.
I. Karabova-Hambarova1, N. Mateva1, A. Yaneva1, N. Dimov1, G. Foreva2, P. Elenska1
1 Medical University ‒ Plovdiv
2 Accredited GP for training Brod Ltd.
Abstract. Recently, the application of telemedicine in the practice of medical professionals has increased largely. Telemedicine needs to be integrated as a taught discipline in medical university curriculum in order to prepare future physicians. The aim of the research is to explore the Bulgarian and foreign medical student opinions regarding the need for training in telemedicine, as well as the student awareness in this field. A survey distributed on paper and in an electronic version via Google Forms among 90 Bulgarian and foreign medical students of the Medical University – Plovdiv, was conducted. The software product SPSSv.23 was used for statistical processing of the results. The results show that students have a low level of awareness about telemedicine and the majority of respondents have not come across information about it (62.20%). A significant difference was found between Bulgarian and foreign students in their attitudes towards the introduction of telemedicine training (P = 0.015), as well as in their intentions for future use of telemedicine services in their practice (P = 0.017) – foreign students demonstrate more optimistic attitudes. A telemedicine course integrating into the medical university programs can contribute to ethical and regulatory principles awareness and development of communication and technical skills for future telemedicine application.
Key words: telemedicine, medical students, training, attitudes
Address for correspondence: Irena Karabova-Hambarova, e-mail: irena.hambarova@mu-plovdiv.bg