Introduction: Patient engagement is essential for successful telehealth outcomes, particularly for stroke patients who often face functional, cognitive, and technological barriers. While previous research has identified key predictors of engagement, less is known about how socio-demographic factors may moderate these relationships. Understanding these moderating effects is crucial for tailoring telehealth interventions to meet the diverse needs of stroke patients.
Objectives: This study aims to examine whether and how socio-demographic characteristics moderate the relationships between engagement and its predictors across the three phases of engagement (motivation, initiation, maintenance) in videoconferencing-based telehealth among community-dwelling stroke patients in the United States.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with stroke patients who received telehealth services at home. Data were collected via telephone or Zoom interviewer-administered questionnaires. Moderation analyses will be conducted using multiple linear regression models with interaction terms.
Results: This study involved 69 stroke participants (39 females, 30 males), aged 25 to 83 years (Mean=57.4, SD=13.3). The study will explore whether and how socio-demographic factors influence the strength and direction of relationships between engagement and its predictors. Preliminary findings are expected to reveal that gender, education level, marital status, employment status, and caregiver availability may moderate these relationships.
Conclusion: This study will contribute to a deeper understanding of how socio-demographic factors influence telehealth engagement among stroke patients. Findings will inform the development of tailored telehealth strategies that account for diverse patient backgrounds, ultimately enhancing patient engagement and promoting more effective delivery of telehealth services.