Musculoskeletal Care. 2025 Jun;23(2):e70137. doi: 10.1002/msc.70137.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The rise of telehealth has transformed healthcare delivery, but its impact on treatment adherence compared with traditional outpatient departments (OPD) remains underexplored.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess and compare patient adherence to treatment protocols in telehealth with regular OPD settings among patients with neck pain.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at SGT University with neck pain patients in telehealth and traditional OPD settings. Adherence was measured using a validated adherence scale and electronic health records. Data were analysed using statistical methods to identify significant differences between the two groups.
RESULTS: A total of 300 patients participated, with 150 in the telehealth group and 150 in the regular OPD group. Preliminary findings indicated adherence rates. Factors influencing adherence, such as convenience and accessibility, were also analysed.
CONCLUSION: Telehealth appears to enhance treatment adherence compared with traditional outpatient care. These findings suggest that integrating telehealth into healthcare delivery may improve patient outcomes. Future research should explore long-term adherence trends and the underlying mechanisms that drive these differences.
PMID:40540309 | DOI:10.1002/msc.70137
