Abstract:

Objective To investigate the acceptance of mobile internet technology for the health management of tuberculosis patients among general practitioners in communities in Beijing, in order to provide basis for the selection of tuberculosis patients management methods. Methods In May 2020,through the “www.wenjuan.com”, the questionnaire of “Application of mobile internet technology in promoting management of tuberculosis patient in Beijing preliminary investigation-general practitioners” in Beijing was conducted in 378 community medical staff from 316 community health care in 13 districts, where tuberculosis patients management was operated without mobile internet technology, including web site, mobile phone application (APP), WeChat programs and/or electric pillbox. A total of 235 community medical staff from six urban districts (Dongcheng District, Xicheng District, Chaoyang District, Fengtai District, Shijingshan District and Haidian District) and 143 medical staff from seven other districts (Shunyi District, Daxing District, Fangshan District, Mentougou District, Huairou District, Miyun District and Yanqing District) were investigated. The Chi square test was used for comparison of counting data. And P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The proportion of acceptance of mobile internet technology using in one or more tuberculosis patient management work was 76.5% (289/378). Especially for the “receive the notice” and “fill out and submit the feedback sheet”, the intentions of adopting mobile internet technology in community medical staff in six urban areas (40.9% (96/235) and 42.6% (100/235), respectively) were significantly higher than those in suburbs (23.2% (33/142), χ ²=12.197, P=0.001; and 23.8% (34/143), χ ²=13.698, P=0.000, respectively). The intention increased with the management patient number (<10, 10-, >20), which were 75.1% (130/173), 76.7% (102/133) and 79.2% (57/72), respectively. The difference compared to that with the traditional way (24.9% (43/173), 23.3% (31/133) and 20.8% (15/72), respectively)was not significant (χ ²=0.463, P=0.793). Conclusion The intention of adoption mobile internet technology to strengthen management for tuberculosis patients among community medical staff was high. The mobile internet technology could be gradually promoted to the whole city from the six urban districts.

Key words: Tuberculosis,pulmonary, Questionnaire survey, Case management, Computer communication networks, Acceptability, Data interpretation,statistical