Technology acceptance of mobile health applications in GCC countries: case of Kuwait

  • Authors

    • Sumayya Banna American University of Kuwait
    • Andri Ottesen Australian College of Kuwait
    2019-06-30
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i4.13502
  • Information Technology, Kuwait, Q Method, Technology Acceptance Mode (TAM), Mobile Health applications.

  • Abstract

    Information technologies solutions have proven to bring many opportunities. For instance, the information technologies have proven to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare in the developed countries. However, the drivers and barriers to accept mobile applications and information technologies adoption within healthcare are little researched for the GCC countries where the information technologies adoption is relatively new. The current research is a pilot study that investigate unbiased evaluation of different end-users’ views on information technologies solutions in Kuwait. To catch up with the growth, the GCC countries have attempted to revolutionize the healthcare systems throughout the applications of information technologies solutions including mobile computing solutions and educate users with better methods to receive customized health services. The present paper examined the issues by using the framework of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Q methodology to grasp insights and reflections of different viewpoints of end-user’s adoption factors. One of the findings indicated that the perceived security risk was the least an obstacle factor for mobile applications adoptions and acceptance. Another chief factor for such adoption is the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use domains which present significant elements for the escalating embracing of mobile health application among end-users in Kuwait. Accordingly, the data analytics indicated two factors labeled as “technology readiness†competent end-users and “risk insensitive†end-users.

     

  • References

    1. [1] D. Ahern, J. Kreslake and J. Phalen, what is information technologies: Perspectives on the Evolution of e- Health Research. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 8 (2006) https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.8.1.e4.

      [2] N. Akhtar-Danesh, A. Baumann and L. Cordingley, Q methodology in nursing research: A promising method for the study of subjectivity. Western Journal of Nursing Research, vol. 30(6), pp. 759-773, (2008) https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945907312979.

      [3] R. Baker, C. Thompson and R. Mannion. Q method in health economics. Journal of Health Service Research, Vol. 11(1), pp.38-45, (2006) https://doi.org/10.1258/135581906775094217.

      [4] R.M. Baker, C.Thompson and R. Mannion, Q method in health economics. Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, Vol. 11(1), pp. 38-45, (2006). https://doi.org/10.1258/135581906775094217.

      [5] P. Bath, Health informatics: current issues and challenges. Journal of Information Science, Vol. 34(501), (2008) https://doi.org/10.1177/0165551508092267.

      [6] D. Blumenthal and J.P. Glaser, Information technology comes to medicine. New England Journal of Medicine, 356(24), pp. 2527-2534, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMhpr066212.

      [7] I. Bosa, Innovative doctors in Germany: Changes through communities of practices. Journal of Health, Organization and Management, Vol. 22(5), pp.465-479, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777260810898697.

      [8] S.R. Brown, A primer on Q method. Operant Subjectivity, 16(3/4), PP.91-138, 1993.

      [9] C. Cottle and B. McKeown, The forced- free distinction in Q-technique: a note on unused categories in the Q sort continuum. Operant Subjectivity, 3, PP.58-63. 1980.

      [10] SG. Cunningham, DJ. Wake, A. Waller and AD. Morris, Definitions of eHealth, eHealth Care and quality of life. Springer, pp.15-30.2014. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5253-6_2.

      [11] FD. Davis, RP. Bagozzi and PR. Warshaw, End-users Acceptance of Computer Technology: A Comparison of Two Theoretical Models. Management Science, 35(8), pp.982-1003. 1989. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.35.8.982.

      [12] FD. Davis, Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and end-users’ acceptance of information technology. 13, pp.319-3. 1989. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008.

      [13] RM. Epstein, K. Fiscella, C.S.Lesser and KC. Stange, Why the nation needs a policy push on patient-centered healthcare. Health Aff. pp.1489-1495. 2010. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2009.0888.

      [14] D. Haluza and D. Jungwirth, information technologies and the future of healthcare: aspects of health promotion, International Journal of Medical Informatics, 10. 2014.

      [15] L. Hernandez, Health literacy, online health websites and communication: putting the end-users first. Workshop Summary National Academies Press.

      [16] R.J. Holden and Bt. Karsh, The Technology Acceptance Model: Its past and its future in health care. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 43, pp.159-172.2010 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2009.07.002.

      [17] A. Keselman, R. Logan CA. Smith G. Leroy and Q. Zeng-Treitler, Developing informatics tools and strategies for end-users-centered health communication, Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 15(4), pp.473-483.2008 https://doi.org/10.1197/jamia.M2744.

      [18] WR. King and J. He. A meta-analysis of the technology acceptance model. Journal of Information & Management, 43, pp. 740-755.2006 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2006.05.003.

      [19] S. Kiriakidis, Theory of Planned Behviour: The Intention-Behaviour Relationship and the Perceived behaviour Control (PBC) Relationship with Intention and Behaviour. International Journal of Strategic Innovative Marketing, vol.3.2015

      [20] M. Kouroubali and A. Tsiknakis, Organizational factors affecting successful adoption of innovative information technologies services: a case study employing the FITT framework. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 78, pp.39-52.2009 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2008.07.001.

      [21] JC. Lin and H. Lu, towards an understanding of the behavioural intention to use a Web Site. International Journal of Information Management, 20, pp. 197-208.2000. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0268-4012(00)00005-0.

      [22] BF. McKeown and D.B. Thomas, Q method. Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. (1988).

      [23] OR. C. K. L. Karsh B.-T. Severtson D. J. Burke L. J. Brown R. L. and Brennan P. F. Factors affecting home care patients' acceptance of an m-health interactive self-management technology. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, vol.18 (1), pp.51-59. (2011). https://doi.org/10.1136/jamia.2010.007336.

      [24] G. Par, C. Sicotte and H. Jacques. The effects of creating psychological ownership on physicians' acceptance of clinical information systems. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 12(3), pp.197-205, 2006 EM. Rogers, Diffusion of innovations. New York: Free Press. (2003). https://doi.org/10.1197/jamia.M1930.

      [25] L.K. Schaper and G.P. Pervan, E-HEALTH and OTs: A model of information and communication technology acceptance and utilization by occupational therapists. International journal of medical informatics, vol.76, pp.212S221, (2007). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2006.05.028.

      [26] RK. Sinha and M. Thankachan, Perception of Nursing Professionals Towards eHealth Application. International Journal of Bio-Sciences & Technology, vol. 5 (2012).

      [27] T. Spil, C. LeRouge, K. Trimmer and C. Wiggins, Back to the future of IT adoption and evaluation in healthcare. International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, vol.12, pp.185-109. (2011). https://doi.org/10.1504/IJHTM.2011.037222.

      [28] W. Stephenson W. The Study of Behavior: Q Technique and its Methodology. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. (1953).

      [29] J.Y.L.Thong, W. Hong and K. Tam, Understanding stakeholders’ acceptance of digital libraries: What are the roles of interface characteristics, organizational context, and individual differences? International Journal of Human Computer Studies, 3, pp. 215-242. (2002). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1071-5819(02)91024-4.

      [30] FC. Tung, SC. Chang and C.M. Chou, An extension of trust and TAM model with IDT in the adoption of the electronic logistics information system in HIS in the medical industry. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 77(5), 324-335. (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2007.06.006.

      [31] V. Venkatesh, C. Speier and M. G. Morris, Stakeholders acceptance enablers in individual decision making about technology: Toward an integrated model. Decision Sciences, 33(2), 297-316. (2002). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5915.2002.tb01646.x.

  • Downloads

    Additional Files

  • How to Cite

    Banna, S., & Ottesen, A. (2019). Technology acceptance of mobile health applications in GCC countries: case of Kuwait. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(4), 6367-6372. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i4.13502

    Received date: 2018-05-30

    Accepted date: 2019-05-13

    Published date: 2019-06-30