我国公众对远程医疗的态度变化研究——基于多时段微博文本数据分析

Research on the Evolution of Public Attitudes towards Telemedicine in China—A Multi-Period Analysis of Weibo Text Data

摘要: 目的/意义：远程医疗在疫情期间发挥了重要作用，避免了公众在医院聚集而引起交叉感染，为隔离中的人们提供医疗服务，得到了大量使用。然而公众对远程医疗的态度发生了何种变化，尚未得到深入研究。方法/过程：我们以“远程医疗”、“在线问诊”和“互联网医院”为关键词，收集了2018年1月1日至2024年4月30日期间的微博数据。利用融合word2vec的LDA主题模型和Bi-LSTM-Attention情感分析方法，探讨了疫情前、疫情中、疫情后公众对远程医疗的态度变化。结果/结论：结果显示，公众对远程医疗的态度由疫情前的“不信任”演化为“在疫情中有重要作用”，进而到疫情后仍然“推荐使用”远程医疗。公众对远程医疗的积极情绪占比不断提升，消极情绪占比稳步下降。经历新冠疫情，公众普遍认识到远程医疗的便利性，愿意将远程医疗作为问诊的辅助手段，疫情提高了公众对远程医疗的信任度。此外，公众隐私焦虑和医保报销是目前远程医疗面临的主要问题，公众希望政府能出台相关政策法规，支持远程医疗的进一步发展。

Abstract: Purpose/Significance: Telemedicine has been extensively utilized during the pandemic, preventing cross-infections due to public gatherings in hospitals and providing medical services to isolated individuals. However, the evolution of public attitudes towards telemedicine has not been thoroughly investigated. Method/Process: We collected Weibo data from January 1, 2018, to April 30, 2024, using “telemedicine”, “online consultation”, and “Internet hospital” as keywords. Employing a LDA topic model combined with word2vec and a Bi-LSTM-Attention sentiment analysis technique, this study examines the changes in public attitudes towards telemedicine before, during, and after the pandemic. Result/Conclusion: The findings indicate that public attitudes towards telemedicine shifted from mistrust prior to the pandemic to recognition of its importance during the pandemic, and continued to favor its use post-pandemic. The proportion of positive sentiments has risen consistently, while negative sentiments have decreased steadily. The COVID-19 pandemic has led the public to appreciate the convenience of telemedicine, making it a preferred consultation method. The experience of using medicine during the pandemic has enhanced public trust in telemedicine. Moreover, concerns about privacy and medical insurance reimbursement are the primary challenges currently faced by telemedicine. The public calls for government policies and regulations to support its further development.