Toward a Better Understanding of the Intention to Use mHealth Apps: Exploratory Study

Autor: Pedro R Palos-Sanchez, Jose Ramon Saura, Miguel Ángel Rios Martin, Mariano Aguayo-Camacho
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: JMIR mHealth and uHealth, Vol 9, Iss 9, p e27021 (2021)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2291-5222
DOI: 10.2196/27021
Popis: BackgroundAn increasing number of mobile health (mHealth) apps are becoming available for download and use on mobile devices. Even with the increase in availability and use of mHealth apps, there has still not been a lot of research into understanding the intention to use this kind of apps. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate a technology acceptance model (TAM) that has been specially designed for primary health care applications. MethodsThe proposed model is an extension of the TAM, and was empirically tested using data obtained from a survey of mHealth app users (n=310). The research analyzed 2 additional external factors: promotion of health and health benefits. Data were analyzed with a PLS–SEM software and confirmed that gender moderates the adoption of mHealth apps in Spain. The explanatory capacity (R2 for behavioral intention to use) of the proposed model was 76.4%. Likewise, the relationships of the external constructs of the extended TAM were found to be significant. ResultsThe results show the importance of healthy habits developed by using mHealth apps. In addition, communication campaigns for these apps should be aimed at transferring the usefulness of eHealth as an agent for transforming attitudes; additionally, as more health benefits are obtained, ease of use becomes greater. Perceived usefulness (PU; β=.415, t0.001;4999=3.442, P=.001), attitude toward using (β=.301, t0.01;499=2.299, P=.02), and promotion of health (β=.210, t0.05;499=2.108, P=.03) were found to have a statistically significant impact on behavior intention to use eHealth apps (R2=76.4%). Perceived ease of use (PEOU; β=.179, t0.01;499=2.623, P=.009) and PU (β=.755, t0.001;499=12.888, P=78.2%). Furthermore, PEOU (β=.203, t0.01;499=2.810, P=.005), health benefits (β=.448, t0.001;499=4.010, P
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals