Xiaojun Zhang|Ping Yu|Jun Yan|Ir Ton A M Spil
Using diffusion of innovation theory to understand the factors impacting patient acceptance and use of consumer e-health innovations: a case study in a primary care clinic
University of Wollongong|University of Wollongong|University of Wollongong|University of Twente
consumer ehealth potential solution problems accessibility quality costs delivering public healthcare services patients although consumer ehealth proliferated recent years remains unclear patients willing able accept use new rapidly developing technology therefore aim research study factors influencing patients acceptance usage consumer ehealth innovations simple typical consumer ehealth innovation eappointment scheduling service developed implemented primary health care clinic regional town australia longitudinal case study undertaken 29 months system implementation major factors influencing patients acceptance use eappointment service examined theoretical lens rogers innovation diffusion theory data collected computer log records 25616 patients visited medical centre entire study period indepth interviews 125 patients study results show overall adoption rate eappointment service increased slowly 15 3 months implementation 4 29 months means innovators used new service majority patients adopt innovation factors contributing low adoption rate 1 insufficient communication eappointment service patients 2 lack value eappointment service majority patients could easily make phone callbased appointment limitation functionality eappointment service 3 incompatibility new service patients preference oral communication receptionists 4 limitation characteristics patients including low level internet literacy lack access computer internet home lack experience online health services closely associated low socioeconomic status study population findings point need health care providers consider address identified factors implementing complicated consumer ehealth innovations