Perception on E-Health Readiness among Rural Health Workers: A Convergent Parallel Analysis
Authors
Graduate School of Allied Health Sciences, University of the Visayas (Philippines)
Graduate School of Allied Health Sciences, University of the Visayas (Philippines)
Article Information
DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.110400094
Subject Category: Health Science
Volume/Issue: 11/4 | Page No: 1310-1322
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-04-16
Accepted: 2026-04-22
Published: 2026-05-09
Abstract
This mixed-methods research utilized a convergent parallel design to assess e-Health readiness and explore perceptions related to digital health implementation among 198 healthcare workers and 12 qualitative participants in a municipality in Leyte during the second quarter of 2025. Quantitative results showed high overall e-Health readiness, with core readiness, technological readiness, learning readiness, societal readiness, and policy readiness all rated as high. Relationship testing revealed that age, sex, current position, years in service, type of facility, internet access, and training had no significant correlation with e-Health readiness, which indicated that digital preparedness was broadly consistent regardless of demographic differences. Qualitative findings provided depth and context, particularly regarding the perceived strengths of core, learning, societal, and policy readiness. Upon integration, the results for all dimensions converged; however, in technological readiness, the findings diverged. While the quantitative data suggested high scores, qualitative narratives highlighted persistent structural barriers such as limited ICT equipment, unstable internet connectivity in barangays, and a lack of dedicated IT support. Overall, the study revealed strong motivational readiness alongside persistent structural challenges. Based on these findings, the e-Health Readiness Enhancement and Adoption Plan was developed to address infrastructure, training, and policy support needs.
Keywords
E-Health Readiness; Digital Health; Mixed-Methods
Downloads
References
1. Aguila, E. M., et al. (2025). Implementation challenges of smarter and integrated health information systems in local health units. Journal of Information & Policy. doi:10.2139/ssrn.5059980 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Berardi, C., Antonini, M., Jordan, Z., Wechtler, H., Paolucci, F., & Hinwood, M. (2024). Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of digital technologies in mental health systems: A qualitative systematic review to inform a policy framework. BioMed Central Health Services Research, 24, Article 243. doi:10.1186/s12913-023-10536-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. Blondino, C. T., Frerichs, L., Weeks, J. R., Pati, S., Ved, R., Agarwal, S., & LeFevre, A. E. (2024). The use and potential impact of digital health tools at the community level: Results from a multi-country survey of community health workers. BioMed Central Public Health, 24, 18062. doi:10.1186/s12889-024-18062-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Bober, T., Rollman, B. L., et al. (2024). Digital health readiness: Making digital health care more inclusive. Journal of Medical Internet Research mobile Health and ubiquitous Health, 12, e58035. doi:10.2196/58035 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Chung, C. A., Dabu, J. A. V., Norada, F. R. A., Loreche, A. M., Pepito, V. C. F., & Dayrit, M. M. (2025). Improving Health Information Systems for Universal Health Coverage in the Philippines. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Colorafi, K. J., & Evans, B. (2020). Qualitative Descriptive Methods in Health Science Research. Retrieved October 6, 2025, from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. David, C. C., Soriano, C. R. R., & Tabor, E. D. (2021). E-health and digital divide in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development, 25(1), 1–9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Davis, F. F. (1989). Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology. Management Information System Quarterly, 319. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. de Claro, V., & de Claro, A. (2024). Holes in the Armor: Addressing the Gaps in Health Care Cybersecurity in the Philippines and Beyond. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. Duplaga, M., & Turosz, N. (2022). User satisfaction and the readiness-to-use e-health applications in the future in Polish society in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Medical Informatics. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. Elepaño, A. R., Basilan, J. M. E., Tuico, L. A., Balabat, H. C. S., Felicen, I. L., Santos, S. E., Temesio, K. L., David-Gomez, M. A., & Lagahit, L. J. (2025). Implementing electronic health records in Philippine primary care settings: A mixed-methods pilot study. Journal of Medical Internet Research Medical Informatics, 13, e63036. https://doi.org/10.2196/63036 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Evio, B. D., & Bonito, S. R. (2024). Formative Evaluation of the Implementation of eHealth in the Philippines: A Qualitative Study. Acta Medica Philippina. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Fetters, M. D., Curry, L. A., & Creswell, J. W. (2013). Achieving Integration in Mixed Methods Designs—Principles and Practices. PubMed Central. Retrieved September 9, 2025 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Gandhi, A. P., Kathirvel, S., & Chakraborty, S. (2022). Rural community health workers’ readiness for mobile-phone-based telemedicine uptake in India. Journal of Rural Medicine, 17(3), 166–170. doi:10.2185/jrm.2021-044 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Gandhi, N., Singh, P., & Khanna, S. (2022). Digital readiness among community health workers in low-resource settings: Barriers and facilitators to e-health adoption. Journal of Primary Health Care Research, 14(3), 221-233. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Gelchu, M., Mebratu, A., Melesse, S., & Gemechu, F. (2025). Health professionals’ readiness for and factors influencing electronic medical record systems implementation in Southern Oromia, Ethiopia. Frontiers in Digital Health, 5, 1531315. doi:10.3389/fdgth.2025.1531315 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Ghanad, A. (2023). An Overview of Quantitative Research Methods. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 06(08), 3794-3803. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Guidelines on the implementation of telemedicine in the delivery of individual-based health services. (2021). University of the Philippines College of Law. Retrieved September 2, 2025 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Hameed, M. A., Al-Debei, M. M., & Tarhini, A. (2022). Investigating e-health readiness in developing countries: A theoretical framework. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 161, 104722 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Ibrahim, M., Cruz, J., & Santos, R. (2025). Determinants of electronic health system utilization in rural health units: A multi-country analysis. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 180, 105-118. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. Ibrahim, Y., et al. (2025). Readiness of health professionals for telemedicine implementation in low-income settings. Frontiers in Digital Health, 5, 1554199. doi:10.3389/fdgth.2025.1554199 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. Jagde, A. K., Shrivastava, R., Feine, J., & Emami, E. (2021). Patients’ E-Readiness to use E-Health technologies for oral health. Public Library of Science ONE. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
23. Jarva, E., Oikarinen, A., Andersson, J., Tuomikoski, A.-M., Kääriäinen, M., Meriläinen, M., & Mikkonen, K. (2022). Healthcare professionals' perceptions of digital health competence: A qualitative descriptive study. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
24. Jeilani, A., et al. (2025). Impact of digital health technologies adoption on healthcare workers’ performance and workload in Somalia. BMC Health Services Research, 25, 12414. doi:10.1186/s12913-025-12414-y [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
25. Jimenez, R. M., Cruz, J. R., & Paredes, C. A. (2020). Barriers to e-health implementation in rural Philippines: A review. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 32(6–7), 275–282. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
26. Joshi, P., Sikder, S. S., Mekuria, F. T., Mateo, A., & Bayombong, M. T. (2025). Digital health for Barangay Health Workers: A mixed-methods baseline assessment in Quezon, Philippines. Preprint. doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-7216218/v1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
27. Juban, N., Salisi, J., Mier, A., Mier-Alpano, J., & Ongkeko Jr, A. (2020). National Telehealth System, Philippines. World Health Organization & United Nations Children’s Fund/ United Nations Development Program/ World Bank/ World Health Organization Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, Geneva: Social Innovation in Health Initiative. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
28. Kaboré, S. S., Ngangue, P., Soubeiga, D., Barro, A., Pilabré, A. H., Bationo, N., Pafadnam, Y., Drabo, K. M., Hien, H., & Savadogo, G. B. L. (2022). Barriers and facilitators for the sustainability of digital health interventions in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Frontiers in Digital Health, 4, Article 1014375. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
29. Kasaye, M. D., et al. (2024). Digital health literacy and associated factors among healthcare professionals in Ethiopia. Digital Health, 10, 20552076241271799. doi:10.1177/20552076241271799 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
30. Kasaye, M. D., et al. (2025). Health professionals’ electronic health literacy: A systematic review of reviews. Digital Health, 11, 20552076251362396. doi:10.1177/20552076251362396 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
31. Kasaye, T., Demissie, H., & Alemu, G. (2024). Community acceptance of mobile health applications in remote populations: A mixed-methods approach. BioMed Center Health Services Research, 24(1), 1-12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
32. Khoja, S., Scott, R. E., Casebeer, A. L., & Gilani, S. (2007). e-Health readiness assessment tools for healthcare institutions in developing countries. Telemedicine and e-Health, 13(4), 425–431. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
33. Kruszy´nska-Fischbach, A., Sysko-Roma´nczuk, S., M. Napiórkowski, T. M., Napiórkowska, A., & Kozakiewicz, D. (2022). Organizational e-Health Readiness: How to Prepare the Primary Healthcare Providers’ Services for Digital Transformation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
34. Leochico, C. F. D., Rey-Matias, B. M. V., & Rey-Matias, R. R. (2022). Telerehabilitation perceptions and experiences of physiatrists in a lower-middle-income country during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
35. Lu, J. L., & Marcelo, P. G. F. (2021). Assessment of the Context for eHealth Development in the Philippines: A Work in Progress from 1997 to 2020. Acta Medica Philippina. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
36. Mandal, Y., Jha, K., Kumar, G., Singh, A., Barman, D., & Menon, I. (2023). Assessing knowledge, attitude, and readiness to use e-health among doctors in a tertiary health care unit in Odisha: A cross-sectional survey. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 12, 273. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_1637_22 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
37. Marcelo, A., Del Rosario, R., & Ortiz, C. (2023). Digital health readiness in low-resource Philippine settings: Infrastructure, equipment, and organizational support. Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development, 27(4), 15–26. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
38. Marcelo, P. G. F., et al. (2023). Readiness for a community-based teleaudiology program in primary care facilities. Acta Medica Philippina, 57(9), 85–94. doi:10.47895/amp.v57i9.4984 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
39. Marcelo, P. G. F., Tulisana, M. L. O., Gaspar, M. J. P. O., Amoranto, A. J. P., Sunga, M. B., & Fullante, P. B. (2023). Assessment of Readiness for a Community-based Teleaudiology Program of Selected Primary Care Health Facilities in the Philippines. Acta Medica Philippina. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
40. Municipality of Dagami Philippine Statistics Authority | Republic of the Philippines. (n.d.). PSA.gov.ph. Retrieved September 9, 2025, from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
41. Ngusie, H. S., Kassie, S. Y., Chereka, A. A., & Enyew, E. B. (2022). Healthcare providers’ readiness for electronic health record adoption: a cross-sectional study during pre-implementation phase. BioMed Center Health Services Research. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
42. Ngusie, H. S., Kassie, S. Y., Chereka, A. A., & Enyew, E. B. (2022). Healthcare providers’ readiness for electronic health record adoption: A cross-sectional study during the pre-implementation phase. BioMed Center Health Services Research, 22, 282. doi:10.1186/s12913-022-07688-x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
43. Ngusie, T., Alemu, G., & Fentie, M. (2022). Barriers to technological readiness for digital health among frontline workers in rural districts. BioMed Center Health Services Research, 22(1), 1–9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
44. Noceda, A. V. G., Kitchlew, A. R., & Aranas, E. S. (2023). Patient satisfaction with telemedicine in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 277. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
45. Philippine Statistics Authority. (2025, January 16). Age and sex distribution in the Municipality of Dagami (2020 Census of Population and Housing) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
46. Philippine Statistics Authority. (2025, March 28). PSA clears the “Telemedicine Process Evaluation Survey Tool for Healthcare Providers” survey, encourages participation for data-driven strategic healthcare planning. PSA.gov.ph. Retrieved September 2, 2025 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
47. Remonte, A. M., & Calimag, M. M. (2022). Exploring the readiness of rural health units in the Philippines to adopt e-health: A mixed-methods study. Philippine Journal of Public Health, 67(1), 33–42. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
48. Sharma, L. R., Bidari, S., Bidari, D., Neupane, S., & Sapkota, R. (2023, January 20). Global Academic Journal of Linguistics and Literature Exploring the Mixed Methods Research Design: Types, Purposes, Strengths, C. Global Academic Journal’s Research and Consortium. Retrieved September 9, 2025, from Global Academic Journal Linguistics and Literature_51_3-12.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
49. Singh, S., & Shah, S. (2023, November 24). What is Descriptive Research? Definition, Methods, Types and Examples. Researcher.Life. Retrieved September 9, 2025 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
50. Tarana, M. A., Quinto, R., & Molina, V. (2024). Digital health and sustainable development in the Philippines: Implications for Universal Health Care and Sustainable Development Goals. International Journal of Public Health Policy, 15(2), 101–115. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
51. Valera, M. J. S., Leochico, C. F. D., Ignacio, S. D., & Mojica, J. A. P. (2025). Wheelchair recipients’ perceived barriers to in-person and virtual follow-up consultations: A cross-sectional study. Acta Medica Philippina, 58(20). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
52. van Tilburg, M. L., et al. (2024). Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of digital health services for people with musculoskeletal conditions in the primary health care setting: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e49868. doi:10.2196/49868 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
53. Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User Acceptance of Information Technology: Toward A Unified View. Management Information System Quarterly, 27, 425-478. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
54. Woods, A., Ngusie, M., & Blondino, R. (2024). Training, confidence, and behavioral readiness for digital health among frontline workers. Health Informatics Journal, 30(2), 145-162. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
55. Woods, L., Martin, P., Khor, J., Guthrie, L., & Sullivan, C. (2024). Digital health education and training for rural healthcare workers. BioMed Central Health Services Research, 24, 11313. doi:10.1186/s12913-024-11313-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
56. World Health Organization. (2021). Global strategy on digital health 2020–2025. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
57. Yassen, E., Atia, I. A., Manhal, G. A. A., Elzein, M., Mohamed, M., Siddig, M., Eltayeb, R., Asmally, R., Mohammed, S., & Elhassan, S. (2023). Readiness of managers and health care workers for e-Health: a cross-sectional study in Khartoum primary health care centers, Sudan. BioMed Central Health Services Research. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
58. Yi, J., Song, E., & Kang, H. (2024). Information infrastructure gaps and digital health utilization: Evidence from community clinics in developing countries. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 183, 105−134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2024.105134 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
59. Yi, S., et al. (2024). Digital health challenges in low-resource settings: A systematic review. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 180, 105355. doi:10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2023.105355 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
60. Yumen, N. (2025). Computer literacy for Barangay Health Workers. Aloysian Interdisciplinary Journal of Social Sciences, 1(5), 195–210. doi:10.5281/zenodo.15508037 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
61. Yusif, S., Hafeez-Baig, A., & Soar, J. (2020). An Exploratory Study of the Readiness of Public Healthcare Facilities in Developing Countries to Adopt Health Information Technology (HIT)/e-Health: the Case of Ghana. Journal of Healthcare Informatics Research. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
Metrics
Views & Downloads
Similar Articles
- Measuring Waste of Patient Time in Health Care at Non-Digitized Hospital: An Observational Study in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh
- Reaffirming Clinical Confidence in Atorvastatin Therapy: A Digital Outreach Case Study from Tamil Nadu, India
- Clinical Manifestations and Therapeutic Response in a Patient with Hypothyroidism: A Case Report
- Eranda (Ricinus Communis) In Gridhrasi (Sciatica): Classical Rationale, Pharmacology and Clinical Evidence- A Narrative Literature Review
- Magnetotherapy in Pain Management: Mechanisms, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives – A Review