Who Are the Users of Telemedicine in Indonesia?

Ratna Sri Widyastuti Mar 15, 2025 Mar 15, 2025 4 min read

Does telemedicine work? It depends on the doctor and the patient

“Doctor consultation apps can be helpful, but it really depends on the doctor. Some are great, but I had a terrible experience last time. The psychologist I spoke to was so judgmental, right just when I was feeling down.”

That was the first response I received when I asked people on social media about their experience with telemedicine apps. Luckily, as I scrolled through more replies, the feedback became more varied.

One common theme emerged: the effectiveness of telemedicine depends not only on the doctor but also on the patient’s ability to communicate symptoms. A user shared an example:

“For instance, if I tell the doctor: ‘I have a fever of 38°C, a dry cough, and diarrhea three times a day,’ the response I get is much more accurate.”

This perspective reflects the mixed feelings many Indonesians have toward telemedicine. While some have had negative encounters, others find these apps useful—mainly when used effectively.

Low penetration of health apps

Despite the pandemic accelerating digital health adoption worldwide, telemedicine penetration in Indonesia remains low. According to the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI), only 2.2 percent of Indonesians aged 15 and above have used telemedicine apps.

To put that into perspective, there are 212.6 million Indonesians over 15 years old, only about 4.7 million people have accessed telemedicine services.

Usage is concentrated in Java, where infrastructure is more developed. In contrast, Papua and Maluku have the lowest telemedicine adoption rates, despite these regions potentially benefiting the most due to limited healthcare access.

Among provinces, Yogyakarta leads with 6.5 percent of residents using online health apps, followed by Jakarta (5.4 percent) and West Java (3.2 percent). This trend aligns with better technology infrastructure in urban areas, making it easier for people to access telemedicine.

The most popular telemedicine apps

Indonesia has numerous health apps, but a survey by Kata Data highlights the top nine telemedicine platforms used nationwide.

Halodoc dominates the market with 46.5 percent of respondents using it, almost 1 in 2 telemedicine users.
Hospital and clinic-based telemedicine services come second, with 41.8 percent usage.
Alodokter follows at 35.7 percent, while direct online consultations with doctors rank fourth at 20.3 percent.
KlikDokter rounds out the top five with 15.5 percent.

Among independent health apps, Halodoc, Alodokter, and KlikDokter stand out as the go-to platforms for Indonesians seeking online healthcare services.

Young, educated, wealthy, and urban users

Who are the most likely users of telemedicine in Indonesia? Data from SKI 2023 reveals a clear pattern:

Young adults dominate – The 25-34 age group has the highest usage rate (3.8 percent), followed by 15-24-year-olds (2.4 percent).
Higher education leads to higher adoption – 8 percent of university graduates (diploma to PhD) use telemedicine, compared to lower rates among those with less education.
Wealthier individuals are more likely to use telemedicine – 5.9 percent of upper-income groups access these services.
Urban users outnumber rural users – 3.1 percent of city dwellers have tried telemedicine, compared to only 0.9 percent in rural areas.

This data suggests that technology literacy, financial capability, and internet access play a significant role in telemedicine adoption.

More women than men use telemedicine

Interestingly, women are more likely than men to use telemedicine.

2.7 percent of women have used health apps, compared to 1.7 percent of men.

This aligns with global trends, where women tend to seek medical advice more frequently than men. Additionally, women often play the role of family health managers, making telemedicine a valuable tool for caring for children and elderly relatives.

Women also have unique health concerns that require regular consultations, such as reproductive health issues, further driving their higher usage of telemedicine services.

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Limited to information-seeking

While telemedicine is available, its use remains mostly informational rather than clinical.

58.2 percent of users access telemedicine for health information and education.
Only 12.9 percent use it for clinical consultations.

Many users see telemedicine as a way to get a second opinion rather than as a substitute for in-person doctor visits. One social media user summed it up:

“Telemedicine is useful for cross-checking advice, but if it’s serious, I still go to the doctor in person.”

The future of telemedicine in Indonesia

Telemedicine has the potential to bridge healthcare gaps in Indonesia, especially for those in remote areas. However, its low adoption rate suggests several barriers, including: