Sustained Telehealth Engagement in Chronic Disease Management in Jordan: A Qualitative Study of Patient Experiences

Abstract

Background: Telehealth can improve access to chronic disease care, but how patients maintain engagement beyond initial adoption remains insufficiently understood in Middle Eastern settings. Methods: This exploratory qualitative study interviewed 24 adults with chronic conditions receiving telehealth-supported care across three military/private hospitals in Jordan. Participants had used telehealth for at least three months. Interviews were conducted in Arabic, transcribed verbatim, translated into English with back-translation quality checks, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase reflexive thematic analysis; NVivo 15 supported data organization. Results: Five interrelated interpretive patterns were identified: reduced physical access work alongside new connection and financial burdens; family-supported autonomy; reconfigured self-monitoring and preparation; relational reassurance alongside limits when physical examination was needed; and trust shaped by system reliability and coordination. Conclusions: The findings suggest that continued telehealth engagement in this Jordanian sample was associated with the balance between convenience and digital burden, family-mediated support, relational continuity, and reliable, coordinated services. Hybrid models may be appropriate but require evaluation in other settings and populations.