Understanding the Reach of Telemedicine: Awareness, Usages, and Social Business Opportunities for Sustainable Healthcare in Rural and Urban Bangladesh

Abstract

This study investigates awareness, use, perceptions, and future intentions regarding telemedicine among rural and urban populations in Bangladesh. It further explores how these findings can inform sustainable social business strategies to expand access to telemedicine. A survey of 76 individuals from Dhaka (Urban) and Gopalganj (Rural) was conducted to assess key behaviors and attitudes. The results show that urban respondents are more familiar with telemedicine, whereas rural participants perceive it as more effective and are more likely to use it in the future. A notable gap exists between awareness and actual usage across age groups, with only weak correlations observed between perceived quality, awareness, and future intention. This suggests that people’s interest in telemedicine is driven more by their healthcare needs than by familiarity with the technology. A social business model that focuses on keeping costs low, engaging the community, and reinvesting profits could help overcome barriers such as low awareness, lack of trust, and limited access. The study concludes that telemedicine, when supported by sustainable social business practices, has the potential to improve healthcare access in underserved areas of Bangladesh and other developing countries.