Improving telemedicine: evaluating emotional recognition for better patient-consultant interaction

Abstract The rise of telemedicine, particularly in mental health, has transformed care delivery by providing increased accessibility and convenience. However, accurately recognizing and interpreting patient emotions remains a significant challenge. This study evaluates the usability and acceptance of an emotional recording feature integrated into a telemedicine app, focusing on mental health professionals (consultants) and their patients. Using the Technology Acceptance Model and usability test, we assessed perceived usefulness, ease of use, attitude towards use, and behavioral intention to use the feature. A total of 20 consultants and 20 patients participated, and the use of the feature for a week was analyzed. Results indicated that patients reported higher perceived usefulness and behavioral intention to use the feature compared to consultants. Both groups found the feature easy to use, with no significant differences in perceived ease of use. Consultants exhibited more positive attitudes towards the feature, while patients showed more variability. The overall System Usability Scale (SUS) scores indicated high usability for the feature. Emotional report frequency among patients varied widely, reflecting differing levels of engagement. These findings suggest that the emotional recording feature is well-received, with high usability and acceptance among both consultants and patients. Future research should include clinical trials to evaluate the impact on therapeutic outcomes, expand the sample size, and explore ways to enhance user engagement. This study underscores the potential of emotion recognition tools to improve mental health care delivery in telemedicine.