Telemedicine preference in a potential eastern anatolia earthquake: A sample of nurses

Technological advancements make significant contributions to disaster management by enhancing preparedness, response, and recovery processes, particularly in natural disasters such as earthquakes. In this context, telemedicine emerges as an important application that enables the remote delivery of healthcare services. In situations where physical access becomes difficult after an earthquake, telemedicine ensures the rapid and effective provision of healthcare services to the injured. Moreover, it facilitates access to healthcare for disaster victims living in rural or hard-to-reach areas and helps reduce the workload of healthcare professionals. Telemedicine applications can be utilized across a wide spectrum, from initial intervention to rehabilitation, thereby improving the quality of care and accelerating the recovery process. This study examines the role of telemedicine applications in post-earthquake healthcare services and their contributions to disaster management. The findings of the study indicated that nurses demonstrated positive perceptions regarding the perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and overall attitudes toward telemedicine applications. However, the intention to use telemedicine was found to be influenced by factors such as institutional infrastructure, technical support, and training requirements. Based on these findings, strengthening technological infrastructure, providing regular training programs for healthcare professionals, and supporting relevant legal regulations are recommended to enhance the effectiveness of telemedicine applications in disaster management.