Telemedicine Utilisation, Perceived Benefits, Barriers, and Patient Experiences among People with Parkinson’s Disease in Tamil Nadu, India: An Exploratory Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that requires continuous medical monitoring and multidisciplinary care over the long term. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising modality for improving healthcare access among persons with chronic neurological conditions, particularly in settings where specialist availability is limited. Aim: To assess telemedicine utilisation and patient experiences among persons with PD in Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: The present exploratory crosssectional study was conducted among 57 patients with clinically diagnosed PD attending two movement rehabilitation centres in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, conducted between March 2025 and April 2025.. Participants aged 50 years and above were recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected through face-toface interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, disease profile, healthcare accessibility, telemedicine awareness and utilisation, patient perceptions, and barriers to adoption. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. Results: The mean age of participants was 69.5 years, and the majority were male 44 (77.2%). Telemedicine awareness was reported by 87.7% of participants, and 75.4% had used telemedicine for PD management. The most commonly reported benefits were reduced travel burden 42 (97.7%), faster access to specialists 39 (90.7%), and lower cost relative to in-person visits 32 (74.4%). More than half of the participants 30 (52.6%) preferred telemedicine over in-person consultations, and 93% rated the quality of remote care as comparable to or better than conventional care. The most commonly reported barrier was difficulty operating digital technology due to Parkinson’srelated motor symptoms 27 (47.4%) followed by lack of access to appropriate technology 11 (19.3%) and poor internet connectivity (14.0%). Conclusion: The present study findings suggest that remote healthcare services may help address healthcare access challenges among patients attending specialised rehabilitation centres. Addressing technological barriers, strengthening digital infrastructure, and integrating caregiver-assisted service models are necessary steps toward broader adoption of telemedicine in chronic neurological care.