Technology anxiety and resistance to change behavioral study of a wearable cardiac warming system using an extended TAM for older adults

Teleneuropsycological adaptation of the NEUROPSI Breve screening test

OBJECTIVE

Teleneuropsychology refers to the application of neuropsychology using video teleconferencing (VTC) techniques, whose methodology facilitates access to remote populations, a need that has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous investigations have documented the equivalence of different screening assessments (Mini Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment for Neuropsychological Status) when applied via teleneuropsychology. The goal of the present work is to test the equivalence of the Brief Neuropsychological Battery in Spanish (NEUROPSI Breve), a neuropsychological screening instrument standardized for Spanish-speaking population that has reported a high sensitivity (91.6%) for identifying dementia, when applied in the VTC modality.

METHOD

In total, 32 Mexicans between 16 and 70 years were assessed, both in traditional (face-to-face) and VTC format with a 20 min wait between each application. Each participant was randomly assigned into one of four groups that were generated from the established conditions: the first application could be face-to-face or by VTC modality and an adapted or original version of NEUROPSI Breve would be applied; for the second application, the remaining modality and instrument would be used. Statistical analysis was carried out using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software (v. 25).

RESULTS

The Wilcoxon signed-rank test presented statistically significant differences (Z = -2.79, P = .005). However, when applied to each one of the four evaluation groups, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed no statistically significant differences; the same results were found when starting with the original or adapted instrument, and when starting with the face-to-face modality (P < .005). However, differences are shown when starting with the online (VTC) modality (groups B and C) (P = .028).

CONCLUSIONS

The NEUROPSI Breve is applicable in both modalities, satisfying the needs of the population and the evaluation guidelines.

A Social Work Analysis of Facilitators of and Barriers to Adopting Technology in Older Adults: A Systematic Literature Review

Increasing concern within social work about delivering comprehensive and high-quality care to older adults necessitates exploring their interest in information and communication technologies. The aim is to determine, via a systematic review using the PRISMA method, how the scientific literature on older adults' technology experiences through the lens of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The review differentiates between enabling factors and barriers that influence older adults' use and acceptance of technology from their own perspective. It provides social workers with a comprehensive overview of use of technologies and identify general guidelines to enhance older adults' personal and communal autonomy.

Why do generation X customers use wearable fitness technology equipment after recovering from coronavirus? The role of perceived health risks

The health sector has prioritized the physical health of vulnerable Generation X individuals at high Coronavirus risk. Despite vaccination efforts, both infected and healthy people continue facing health threats. Unlike other industries devastated by COVID-19, wearable fitness technology equipment (WFTE) is essential for health-focused individuals. This research examined customers' intention to use WFTE using an adapted Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework. A key contribution is the inclusion of perceived health risk and its impact on WFTE value perceptions and usage attitudes post-pandemic. The study gathered qualitative data from coronavirus patients and survey data from 513 participants. Structural equation modeling analysis supported the theoretical model. While the standard TAM evaluated intent to use WFTE, this study uniquely examined how WFTE's functional, hedonic, and symbolic value shapes its perceived value. Perceived health risk was found to significantly impact perceived WFTE value and usage attitudes after the pandemic recovery. Findings offer managerial implications to boost WFTE adoption among the vulnerable Generation X demographic.

Innovative health tracker that provides advanced functionalities to support and guide users in modifying their lifestyle: a Straussian ground theory approach

Objective

Health can be described as the state of homeostasis and optimal functioning across various bio-psycho-social dimensions and processes, allowing an individual to adapt and respond effectively to extrinsic and intrinsic challenges. Our thoughts, choices, behaviors, experiences, and feelings shape our existence. By transitioning from unconscious reactions to conscious responses, we can establish novel habits and behaviors, actively embracing positive shifts in our lifestyle.

Subjects and methods

The presented examination focuses on the smartwatch (SW), analyzing the incorporation of potentially progressive attributes that could enrich our lifestyle pursuits. The objective is not the health disorders themselves but the employment of wearable devices to create a strong sense of coherence in the Straussian grounded theory approach. The study had no subjects.

Results

The potential of the SW has been partially explored in lifestyle intervention, modification, research, and practice.

Conclusion

Based on our examination, creating an innovative SW capable of aiding individuals in better comprehending their behaviors and motivating them toward comprehensive changes in their lifestyle is a challenging yet attainable endeavor. Our ambition is to bring into existence SW capable of comprehensively measuring and evaluating interoception, circadian rhythm (CR), selected lifestyle pillars, and their associated components, and seamlessly integrating them into current SW features. It focuses on boosting motivation, maintenance, and amelioration regarding one's lifestyle. The novel approach strives to boost both immediate and underlying factors that actively contribute to improving one's metacognition.

Experiences of receiving an mHealth application with proactive nursing support among community-dwelling older adults: a mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND

As the population ages, a plethora of digital and mobile health applications for assistance with independent living have emerged. Still unknown, however, is how older adults sustain the use of these applications.

AIM

This study sought to explore the experiences of older adults following their participation in a programme that combined the use of an mHealth application with proactive telecare nursing support.

METHODS

We employed a concurrent mixed-methods design for this study. The quantitative strand included a survey, whereas the qualitative strand included open-ended questions as part of the survey to understand the participants' experiences. Participants for this study were community-dwelling older adults who had taken part in an interventional study that sought to examine the effects of mHealth and nurse support. A convenience sampling approach was employed to recruit potential participants for this study.

FINDINGS

Fifty-five older adults participated. The majority expressed positive attitudes and satisfaction with the app and the nurses' support. The app and nurses' support helped participants to understand their health status and obtain health information. Reasons to halt app usage included technical issues and limited social support.

CONCLUSION

Mobile apps with professional follow-up support could potentially support older adults in the community, although emerging concerns need to be addressed to sustain long-term usage of these apps.

Acceptance and User Experiences of a Wearable Device for the Management of Hospitalized Patients in COVID-19-Designated Wards in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Action Learning Project

BACKGROUND

Wearable devices have been used extensively both inside and outside of the hospital setting. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in some contexts, there was an increased need to remotely monitor pulse and saturated oxygen for patients due to the lack of staff and bedside monitors.

OBJECTIVE

A prototype of a remote monitoring system using wearable pulse oximeter devices was implemented at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August to December 2021. The aim of this work was to support the ongoing implementation of the remote monitoring system.

METHODS

We used an action learning approach with rapid pragmatic methods, including informal discussions and observations as well as a feedback survey form designed based on the technology acceptance model to assess the use and acceptability of the system. Based on these results, we facilitated a meeting using user-centered design principles to explore user needs and ideas about its development in more detail.

RESULTS

In total, 21 users filled in the feedback form. The mean technology acceptance model scores ranged from 3.5 (for perceived ease of use) to 4.4 (for attitude) with behavioral intention (3.8) and perceived usefulness (4.2) scoring in between. Those working as nurses scored higher on perceived usefulness, attitude, and behavioral intention than did physicians. Based on informal discussions, we realized there was a mismatch between how we (ie, the research team) and the ward teams perceived the use and wider purpose of the technology.

CONCLUSIONS

Designing and implementing the devices to be more nurse-centric from their introduction could have helped to increase their efficiency and use during the complex pandemic period.

Supporting self-management for patients with Interstitial Lung Diseases: Utility and acceptability of digital devices

INTRODUCTION

Patients diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) use devices to self-monitor their health and well-being. Little is known about the range of devices, selection, frequency and terms of use and overall utility. We sought to quantify patients' usage and experiences with home digital devices, and further evaluate their perceived utility and barriers to adaptation.

METHODS

A team of expert clinicians and patient partners interested in self-management approaches designed a 48-question cross-sectional electronic survey; specifically targeted at individuals diagnosed with ILD. The survey was critically appraised by the interdisciplinary self-management group at Royal Devon University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust during a 6-month validation process. The survey was open for participation between September 2021 and December 2022, and responses were collected anonymously. Data were analysed descriptively for quantitative aspects and through thematic analysis for qualitative input.

RESULTS

104 patients accessed the survey and 89/104 (86%) reported a diagnosis of lung fibrosis, including 46/89 (52%) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with 57/89 (64%) of participants diagnosed >3 years and 59/89 (66%) female. 52/65(80%) were in the UK; 33/65 (51%) reported severe breathlessness medical research council MRC grade 3-4 and 32/65 (49%) disclosed co-morbid arthritis or joint problems. Of these, 18/83 (22%) used a hand- held spirometer, with only 6/17 (35%) advised on how to interpret the readings. Pulse oximetry devices were the most frequently used device by 35/71 (49%) and 20/64 (31%) measured their saturations more than once daily. 29/63 (46%) of respondents reported home-monitoring brought reassurance; of these, for 25/63 (40%) a feeling of control. 10/57 (18%) felt it had a negative effect, citing fluctuating readings as causing stress and 'paranoia'. The most likely help-seeking triggers were worsening breathlessness 53/65 (82%) and low oxygen saturation 43/65 (66%). Nurse specialists were the most frequent source of help 24/63 (38%). Conclusion: Patients can learn appropriate technical skills, yet perceptions of home-monitoring are variable; targeted assessment and tailored support is likely to be beneficial.

Acceptance and use behaviour of emerging technology for middle-aged healthy lifestyle

BACKGROUND

Several studies focus on the use of emerging technologies to support and monitor health but are centred around the elderly group of people. Meanwhile, the average elderly popularly known as the middle-aged have not been put into consideration regarding the subject matter.

OBJECTIVE

This article focuses on the use behaviour and acceptance of emerging technologies that can assist in providing a middle-aged population with a healthy lifestyle.

METHODS

This study collected the primary data through an online questionnaire survey to empirically evaluate final 169 respondents. The analysis for this study was done utilising SmartPLS software via partial least squares structural equation modelling.

RESULTS

The results indicate that 9 out of 11 were tested as supported hypotheses. All supported hypotheses showed the strong relationship between acceptance and user behaviour with emerging technology.

CONCLUSION

The experience of acceptance and behaviour of using emerging technology in a healthy lifestyle was found as an important determinant of outcome in preparing the middle-aged for their elderly age by adapting emerging technology as early as possible.

Associations between perceived usefulness and willingness to use smart healthcare devices among Chinese older adults: The multiple mediating effect of technology interactivity and technology anxiety

Objective

This study aims to explore the mediating roles of technological interactivity and technological anxiety in the relationship between perceived usefulness and the willingness to use a smart health device to provide insight into the decision-making process of older adults in relation to the adoption of smart devices.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jiangsu, China involving 552 older adults. The study utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the relationship between the independent variable 'perceived usefulness' and the dependent variable 'willingness to use.' It also examined the multiple mediating effects of technological interactivity and technological anxiety between the independent and dependent variables.

Results

The results indicate that the direct effect of perceived usefulness on willingness to use was insignificant. However, technological interactivity completely mediated the relationship between perceived usefulness and willingness to use. Additionally, technological interactivity and technological anxiety were found to have a serial mediating effect on the impact of perceived usefulness on willingness to use smart healthcare devices.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that increasing older adults' intention to use smart healthcare devices requires not only raising awareness of their usefulness, but also addressing technological anxiety and enhancing the interactivity of these devices to improve the overall user experience.

The impact of resistance on telemedicine use for people with disabilities

People with disabilities face many challenges in accessing healthcare. They may be provided opportunities to utilize new technologies just like non-disabled patients, but their unique challenges might cause them to resist new technology. The purpose of the study is to explore reasons why disabled patients might resist telemedicine. Using thematic analysis, we analyzed open-ended questions from a larger telemedicine survey for people with disabilities in the United States. The analysis identified the following themes: concerns about the patient-provider relationship and trust, worry about security and privacy, telemedicine has its place - but not for every type of visit, and concerns with overutilization and cost. The paper demonstrated that while telemedicine provides convenience to patients in terms of removing barriers such as transportation and cost, patients still value their doctor relationship and certain features of in-person visits. Resistance to telemedicine occurred on both individual and structural levels. This study has implications for institutions serving people with disabilities through remote means.

Examining Theoretical Frameworks and Antecedents of Health Apps and Wearables Use: A Scoping Review

The advancement of health apps and wearables has garnered substantial academic attention, particularly in examining why individuals decide to use or not use them. In response to the extensive body of research on this topic, we conducted a scoping review of 61 articles published from 2007 to 2022, aiming to examine the dominant theoretical frameworks and antecedents of health apps and wearables use. The findings demonstrated that the dominant theoretical frameworks within this domain were rooted in the human-computer interaction theories, notably the Technology Acceptance Model and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Next, our review identified four levels of antecedents: technological, individual, societal, and policy. At the technological level, emphasis was placed on functionality, reliability, and technological infrastructure. Individual antecedents encompassed socio-demographics, personality traits, cognitive responses to benefits and risks, emotional and affective responses, self-efficacy, and digital literacy. Societal antecedents highlighted the role of social networks and social norms, while policy antecedents elaborated on laws, regulations, and guidelines that encouraged health technology adoption. Our discussion illuminated that the evolving trend of theoretical frameworks in health apps and wearables use research, initially rooted in human-computer interaction, is progressively moving toward more comprehensive perspectives. We further underscored the importance of delving into societal and policy antecedents, which often are overshadowed by the more commonly discussed technological and individual factors. In conclusion, we advocated for a multi-stakeholder collaborative network approach, as this would enable communication researchers to understand the use of health apps and wearables more comprehensively.

Exploring Disparities in Healthcare Wearable Use among Cardiovascular Patients: Findings from a National Survey

Background

Use of healthcare wearable devices holds significant potential for improving the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, we have limited knowledge on the actual use of wearable devices by CVD patients and the key factors associated with their use. This study aims to assess wearable device use and willingness to share health data among CVD patients, while identifying socio-demographic, health, and technology-related factors associated with wearable technology use.

Methods

Using a national survey of 933 CVD patients, we assess use of wearable healthcare devices (use, frequency of use and willingness to share health data from wearable with a provider), and a set of socio-demographic factors (age, gender, race, education and household income), health-related variables (general health, presence of comorbid conditions: diabetes and high blood pressure, attitude towards exercise) and technology self-efficacy using logistic regression.

Results

Of the 933 CVD patients, 18.34% reported using a healthcare wearable device in the prior 12 months. Of those, 41.92% indicated using it every day and another 19.76% indicated using it 'almost every day'. 83.54% of wearable users indicated their willingness to share health data with their healthcare providers. Female CVD patients are more likely to use wearables compared to men (odds ratio (OR) = 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-2.63). The odds decrease with age, and are significantly high in patients with higher income levels. In comparison with non-Hispanic White, Hispanic (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.03-0.70) and African Americans (OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.04-0.86) are less likely to use healthcare wearables. CVD patients who perceive their general health to be better (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.11-1.89) and those who enjoy exercising (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.22-2.55) are more likely to use wearables. CVD patients who use the internet for searching for medical information (OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.17-3.77) and those who use electronic means to make appointments with their providers (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.48-3.74) are more inclined to use wearables.

Conclusions

Addressing low wearable device usage among CVD patients requires targeted policy interventions to ensure equitable access. Variations in gender, age, race/ethnicity, and income levels emphasize the need for tailored strategies. Technological self-efficacy, positive health perceptions, and exercise enjoyment play significant roles in promoting wearable use. These insights should guide healthcare leaders in designing effective strategies for integrating wearables into cardiovascular care.

Acceptability of a head-mounted assistive mouse controller for people with upper limb disability: An empirical study using the technology acceptance model

Due to limited motor capabilities, people with upper limb disabilities have trouble utilizing a typical mouse while operating a computer. Different wearable Assistive Mouse Controllers (AMCs) have been developed to overcome their challenges. However, these people may not be able to realize the importance, ease of use, and social approval of these AMCs due to their fear of new technology, lack of confidence, and lack of ingenuity. These may negatively affect their attitude and intention toward accepting AMCs for equitable human-computer interaction. This study presents the development of a sensor-based head-mounted AMC, followed by an empirical analysis of its acceptance using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) from the socioeconomic perspective of Bangladesh. In a similar vein, we examined the effects of three additional psychological constructs-technology anxiety, confidence, and innovation, on its acceptance along with the original components of the TAM. A total of 150 individuals with stroke-induced upper limb disability participated in an online survey, and their responses were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, following the general least square method. Analysis revealed, about 96.44% of the participants had positive attitude towards the AMC, and almost 88.56% of them had positive intentions to accept it. Furthermore, about 68.61% of them expressed signs of anxiety, 96.35% were confident, and 94.16% of them had an innovative mindset in terms of device usage. The findings imply that individuals with an innovative mentality are more capable of comprehending the practical implications of a new technology than those without one. It is also feasible to reduce technological anxiety and boost a user's confidence while using an AMC by combining an innovative mentality with straightforward device interaction techniques. Additionally, peer encouragement and motivation can significantly enhance their positive attitude towards accepting the AMC for facilitating their interaction with a computer.

Physicians' Perspectives on AI in Clinical Decision Support Systems: Interview Study of the CURATE.AI Personalized Dose Optimization Platform

BACKGROUND

Physicians play a key role in integrating new clinical technology into care practices through user feedback and growth propositions to developers of the technology. As physicians are stakeholders involved through the technology iteration process, understanding their roles as users can provide nuanced insights into the workings of these technologies that are being explored. Therefore, understanding physicians' perceptions can be critical toward clinical validation, implementation, and downstream adoption. Given the increasing prevalence of clinical decision support systems (CDSSs), there remains a need to gain an in-depth understanding of physicians' perceptions and expectations toward their downstream implementation. This paper explores physicians' perceptions of integrating CURATE.AI, a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-based and clinical stage personalized dosing CDSSs, into clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to understand physicians' perspectives of integrating CURATE.AI for clinical work and to gather insights on considerations of the implementation of AI-based CDSS tools.

METHODS

A total of 12 participants completed semistructured interviews examining their knowledge, experience, attitudes, risks, and future course of the personalized combination therapy dosing platform, CURATE.AI. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded manually. The data were thematically analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 3 broad themes and 9 subthemes were identified through thematic analysis. The themes covered considerations that physicians perceived as significant across various stages of new technology development, including trial, clinical implementation, and mass adoption.

CONCLUSIONS

The study laid out the various ways physicians interpreted an AI-based personalized dosing CDSS, CURATE.AI, for their clinical practice. The research pointed out that physicians' expectations during the different stages of technology exploration can be nuanced and layered with expectations of implementation that are relevant for technology developers and researchers.

Understanding consumers' intentions to purchase smart clothing using PLS-SEM and fsQCA

With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), smart clothing, which has enormous growth potential, has developed to suit consumers' individualized demands in various areas. This paper aims to construct a model that integrates that technology acceptance model (TAM) and functionality-expressiveness-aesthetics (FEA) model to explore the key factors influencing consumers' smart clothing purchase intentions (PIs). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the data, complemented by fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The PLS-SEM results identified that the characteristics of functionality (FUN), expressiveness (EXP), and aesthetics (AES) positively and significantly affect perceived ease of use (PEOU), and only EXP affects perceived usefulness (PU). PU and PEOU positively impact consumers' attitudes (ATTs). Subsequently, PU and consumers' ATTs positively influence PIs. fsQCA revealed the nonlinear and complex interaction effects of the factors influencing consumers' smart clothing purchase behaviors and uncovered five necessary and six sufficient conditions for consumers' PIs. This paper furthers theoretical understanding by integrating the FEA model into the TAM. Additionally, on a practical level, it provides significant insights into consumers' intentions to purchase smart clothing. These findings serve as valuable tools for corporations and designers in strategizing the design and promotion of smart clothing. The results validate theoretical conceptions about smart clothing PIs and provide useful insights and marketing suggestions for smart clothing implementation and development. Moreover, this study is the first to explain smart clothing PIs using symmetric (PLS-SEM) and asymmetric (fsQCA) methods.

Artificial Intelligence in Health Care-Understanding Patient Information Needs and Designing Comprehensible Transparency: Qualitative Study

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) is as a branch of computer science that uses advanced computational methods such as machine learning (ML), to calculate and/or predict health outcomes and address patient and provider health needs. While these technologies show great promise for improving healthcare, especially in diabetes management, there are usability and safety concerns for both patients and providers about the use of AI/ML in healthcare management.

Objectives

To support and ensure safe use of AI/ML technologies in healthcare, the team worked to better understand: 1) patient information and training needs, 2) the factors that influence patients' perceived value and trust in AI/ML healthcare applications; and 3) on how best to support safe and appropriate use of AI/ML enabled devices and applications among people living with diabetes.

Methods

To understand general patient perspectives and information needs related to the use of AI/ML in healthcare, we conducted a series of focus groups (n=9) and interviews (n=3) with patients (n=40) and interviews with providers (n=6) in Alaska, Idaho, and Virginia. Grounded Theory guided data gathering, synthesis, and analysis. Thematic content and constant comparison analysis were used to identify relevant themes and sub-themes. Inductive approaches were used to link data to key concepts including preferred patient-provider-interactions, patient perceptions of trust, accuracy, value, assurances, and information transparency.

Results

Key summary themes and recommendations focused on: 1) patient preferences for AI/ML enabled device and/or application information; 2) patient and provider AI/ML-related device and/or application training needs; 3) factors contributing to patient and provider trust in AI/ML enabled devices and/or application; and 4) AI/ML-related device and/or application functionality and safety considerations. A number of participant (patients and providers) recommendations to improve device functionality to guide information and labeling mandates (e.g., links to online video resources, and access to 24/7 live in-person or virtual emergency support). Other patient recommendations include: 1) access to practice devices; 2) connection to local supports and reputable community resources; 3) simplified display and alert limits.

Conclusion

Recommendations from both patients and providers could be used by Federal Oversight Agencies to improve utilization of AI/ML monitoring of technology use in diabetes, improving device safety and efficacy.

Exploring E-Health Literacy and Technology-Use Anxiety among Older Adults in Korea

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the importance of health literacy in disseminating information on health in a non-contact society. This study focused on examining the acceptance capacity by older adults of smart devices in Korea and investigating the potential differences between men and women in terms of e-health literacy and technology-use anxiety. The study included 1369 respondents who were adults over 50 years of age and used welfare centers, public health centers, senior citizen centers, and exercise centers in Seoul and Incheon. An online survey was conducted from 1 June 2021 to 24 June 2021. The study found that the older adults' low levels of digital literacy could limit their access to health information and negatively impact their health. The difference between men and women in terms of technology-use anxiety was statistically significant, with the latent mean for men being higher than that for women. The effect sizes of the potential mean differences were found to be at a medium level for e-health literacy and a significant level for technology-use anxiety. With Korea's aging population and the need for the continuous management of chronic diseases among older adults, it is essential to discuss internet-based health information for disease maintenance and treatment.

Investigating smart city adoption from the citizen's insights: empirical evidence from the Jordan context

This study aims to investigate the factors that perceive citizens' intention to adopt smart city technologies in the Arab world. A self-administered questionnaire that included 312 end users as citizens in Amman, Jordan's capital city, was used in this study. This study uses advanced statistical techniques to test an expanded technology acceptance model (TAM) that incorporates the determinants of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, security and privacy, ICT infrastructure and inadequate Internet connectivity, social influence, and demographic profiles. Based on the results, perceived ease of use and ICT infrastructure and Internet connectivity showed positive association with the intention of citizens to adopt smart city services in Jordan. By recognizing the factors that predict citizens' adoption of smart city services, this study presents some theoretical implications and practical consequences related to smart city service adoption.

Getting Connected to M-Health Technologies through a Meta-Analysis

The demand for mobile e-health technologies (m-health) continues with constant growth, stimulating the technological advancement of such devices. However, the customer needs to perceive the utility of these devices to incorporate them into their daily lives. Hence, this study aims to identify users' perceptions regarding the acceptance of m-health technologies based on a synthesis of meta-analysis studies on the subject in the literature. Using the relations and constructs proposed in the UTAUT2 (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2) technology acceptance model, the methodological approach utilized a meta-analysis to raise the effect of the main factors on the Behavioral Intention to Use m-health technologies. Furthermore, the model proposed also estimated the moderation effect of gender, age, and timeline variables on the UTAUT2 relations. In total, the meta-analysis utilized 84 different articles, which presented 376 estimations based on a sample of 31,609 respondents. The results indicate an overall compilation of the relations, as well as the primary factors and moderating variables that determine users' acceptance of the studied m-health systems.

Barriers to Telemedicine Adoption during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan: Comparison of Perceived Risks by Socioeconomic Status Correlates

Telemedicine is the use of technology to deliver healthcare services from a distance. In some countries, telemedicine became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its increasing popularity provides new research opportunities to unveil users' perceptions toward its adoption and continued use. Existing studies have provided limited information and understanding of Taiwanese users and the various sociodemographic factors that influence their intention to use telemedicine services. Thus, the goals of this study were twofold: identifying the dimensions of perceived risks of telemedicine services in Taiwan and providing specific responses to those perceptions as well as determining strategies to promote telemedicine to local policymakers and influencers by providing a better understanding of the perceived risks in relation to socioeconomic status. We collected 1000 valid responses using an online survey and found performance risk to be the main barrier, which was followed by psychological, physical, and technology risks. Older adults with lower levels of education are less likely to use telemedicine services compared to other categories because of multiple perceived risks, including social and psychological concerns. Understanding the differences in perceived risks of telemedicine services by socioeconomic status may aid in identifying the actions required to overcome barriers and may consequently improve adoption of the technology and user satisfaction.

Behavioral Interpretation of Willingness to Use Wearable Health Devices in Community Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Wearable health devices (WHDs) have become increasingly advantageous in long-term health monitoring and patient management. However, most people have not yet benefited from such innovative technologies, and the willingness to accept WHDs and their influencing factors are still unclear. Based on two behavioral theories: the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the diffusion of innovation (DOI), this study aims to explore the influencing factors of willingness to use WHDs in community residents from the perspective of both internal and external factors. A convenience sample of 407 community residents were recruited from three randomly selected Community Health Service Centers (CHSCs) in Nanjing, China, and were investigated with a self-developed questionnaires. The mean score of willingness to use WHDs was 17.00 (range 5-25). In the dimensions of TPB, perceived behavioral control (β = 1.979, p < 0.001) was the strongest influencing factor. Subjective norms (β = 1.457, p < 0.001) and attitudes (β = 0.651, p = 0.016) were also positively associated with willingness. In innovation characteristics of DOI, compatibility (β = 0.889, p < 0.001) and observability (β = 0.576, p = 0.003) had positive association with the willingness to wear a WHD. This study supports the applicability of the two behavioral theories to interpret the willingness to use WHDs in Chinese community residents. Compared with the innovative features of WHDs, individual cognitive factors were more critical predictors of willingness to use.

Predicting Older Adults' Mobile Payment Adoption: An Extended TAM Model

This study adopted an advanced model, combining the technology acceptance model, the theory of reasoned action, the diffusion of innovations, trust, and five aspects of perceived risk, to measure the factors that influence the behavioral intentions of older adults to use mobile payments. A total of 365 questionnaires were collected from older adults aged 55 years or older from 20 community care sites in central Taiwan. Partial least-squares structural equation modeling was used to test our research model. The results showed that attitude was the main determinant of M-payment in older adults. Moreover, increasing the usefulness, ease of use, and observability of M-payment helped older adults improve their attitudes toward M-payment, thereby increasing their intention to use it. Trust had a significant effect on the usefulness and ease of use of M-payment, while the main factors affecting trust were only performance and financial risks.

Factors that predict the acceptance and adoption of smart home technology by seniors in Australia: a structural equation model with longitudinal data

Smart Home Technology presents an exciting opportunity to support seniors living independently in their homes. Despite widespread interest in Smart Homes, seniors' readiness to adopt Smart Home Technology is low. To determine the factors underpinning Australian seniors' acceptance and adoption of Smart Home Technology using an extended UTAUT model that includes Trust, Resistance to Change and Technology Anxiety. A longitudinal study was conducted to validate the proposed model prior to and after the implementation of a pilot Smart Home Modification program for seniors. Structural Equation Modeling has been applied to test the proposed hypotheses using a sample of 60 seniors in regional Australia. Perceived Usefulness is an important predictor of Smart Home Technology adoption by seniors. Trust was found to indirectly predict adoption of Smart Home Technology via Perceived Usefulness. This study showed that Perceived Usefulness and Trust are critical factors for the acceptance and use of SHT by seniors, validating the extension of UTAUT with a Trust factor. This makes a unique theoretical contribution to the literature with implications for aged care providers and policymakers to consider seniors' perceived usefulness and trust in the design, development, and implementation of Smart Home solutions.

Factors affecting wearable ECG device adoption by general practitioners for atrial fibrillation screening: cross-sectional study

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a challenging cardiovascular disease worldwide. Wearable electrocardiograph devices (WEDs) have great potential to improve the detection rate of AF in primary care. However, the factors that influence general practitioners' (GPs) perception and acceptance of WEDs are not well understood. To identify factors that influence the intention of GPs to utilize WEDs in a clinical setting to screen patients for AF.

Method

The research hypotheses and questionnaire items were designed and developed based on the unified theory of acceptance and technology (UTAUT) framework. We used stratified sampling and obtained the data through an online survey. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the collected data.Results: A total of 1,004 valid questionnaires from GPs across Sichuan province in China were collected. Three factors increased GPs' intention to utilize WEDs to screen patients for AF, including performance expectancy (β = 0.121, p = 0.004), social influence (β = 0.356, p < 0.001), and price perception (β = 0.587, p < 0.001). Perception risk (β = -0.059, p < 0.001) decreased usage intention, while effort expectancy (β = -0.079, p = 0.155) and facilitating conditions (β = -0.014, p = 0.868) did not affect usage intention. Gender (β = -0.022, p = 0.179), age (β = 0.006, p = 0.699), education level (β = -0.22, p = 0.184) and training (β = 0.007, p = 0.69) were not significantly correlated with usage intention, and these four factors had no moderating effect on the path coefficients.

Discussion

GPs' intention to utilize WEDs is affected by performance expectancy, price perception, perception risk and social influence. Researcher should improve the usability and perception of WEDs for screening and carry out studies to provide high-quality evidence for the security and efficacy of wearable devices.

Information and communication technology adoption among the older people: A qualitative approach

Information and communication technology (ICT) can empower the older people and improve their quality of life by sustaining functional independence and effective communication. Nonetheless, in developing countries like India, technology acceptance and use among the older people is limited. Therefore, there is a need to systematically understand the plausible difficulties limiting technology use and the expectations of the older people regarding ICT use. Hence, the present study is a qualitative inquiry to explore the needs, attitudes and perceived limitations of the ICT platforms among the older people. Twenty healthy volunteers across various states of India, between 60 and 75 years were recruited online via purposive sampling. A brief demographic survey was administered online using Google Forms, followed by telephonic semi-structured interviews. Thematic Analysis using inductive and deductive coding was employed to analyse the interview transcripts. Thematic analysis yielded four overarching themes- (i) Usability of ICT, (ii) Anxiety and privacy concerns, (iii) Self-perception of technology use and (iv) Need for technology literacy. The emerging themes reflected the perceptions of the older people towards ICT and identified several psycho-social factors impacting technology acceptance among the older people. The findings suggest that several psychological factors like anxiety, motivation, interest and self-efficacy play a role in technology acceptance among the older people. Additionally, user-friendly interfaces and training on technology use may enhance technology acceptance among older users.

Patient Acceptability of Home Monitoring for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Reactivation: A Qualitative Study

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a chronic, progressive condition and the commonest cause of visual disability in older adults. This study formed part of a diagnostic test accuracy study to quantify the ability of three index home monitoring (HM) tests (one paper-based and two digital tests) to identify reactivation in nAMD. The aim of this qualitative research was to investigate patients' or participants' views about acceptability and explore adherence to weekly HM. Semi-structured interviews were held with 78/297 participants (26%), with close family members (n = 11) and with healthcare professionals involved in training participants in HM procedures (n = 9) (n = 98 in total). A directed thematic analytical approach was applied to the data using a deductive and inductive coding framework informed by theories of technology acceptance. Five themes emerged related to: 1. The role of HM; 2. Suitability of procedures and instruments; 3. Experience of HM; 4. Feasibility of HM in usual practice; and 5. Impediments to patient acceptability of HM. Various factors influenced acceptability including a patient's understanding about the purpose of monitoring. While initial training and ongoing support were regarded as essential for overcoming unfamiliarity with use of digital technology, patients viewed HM as relatively straightforward and non-burdensome. There is a need for further research about how use of performance feedback, level of support and nature of tailoring might facilitate further the implementation of routinely conducted HM. Home monitoring was acceptable to patients and they recognised its potential to reduce clinic visits during non-active treatment phases. Findings have implications for implementation of digital HM in the care of older people with nAMD and other long-term conditions.

Staying connected: smartphone acceptance and use level differences of older adults in China

In recent years, an increasing number of studies have addressed the older adults' Information and Communication Technology acceptance, the majority of which concentrate on the use of computers and the internet. As smartphone use becomes further integrated into older adults' daily lives, it is important to investigate how perceptions about and use of smartphones intersect. This study (1) proposes an extended Technology Acceptance Model and tests the relationships between Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Attitude, Behavioural Intention, Self-efficacy, Technology Anxiety, and Social Support in older adults' smartphone use by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); and (2) analyses the specific differences between primary, medium, and advanced use level groups in each construct by Q-cluster and ANOVAs. We conduct a community-based survey with a sample of 1,006 older adults in East China. The data demonstrate that the extended model offered a good explanation of smartphone acceptance among the older adults, and the groups belong to different use levels show significant difference in all constructs. The findings indicate that digital divide is objectively inevitable in smartphone use, but the older adults are extremely diverse groups that do not uniformly conform to technology averse stereotypes.

Predictors of engagement with remote sensing technologies for symptom measurement in Major Depressive Disorder

BACKGROUND

Remote sensing for the measurement and management of long-term conditions such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is becoming more prevalent. User-engagement is essential to yield any benefits. We tested three hypotheses examining associations between clinical characteristics, perceptions of remote sensing, and objective user engagement metrics.

METHODS

The Remote Assessment of Disease and Relapse - Major Depressive Disorder (RADAR-MDD) study is a multicentre longitudinal observational cohort study in people with recurrent MDD. Participants wore a FitBit and completed app-based assessments every two weeks for a median of 18 months. Multivariable random effects regression models pooling data across timepoints were used to examine associations between variables.

RESULTS

A total of 547 participants (87.8% of the total sample) were included in the current analysis. Higher levels of anxiety were associated with lower levels of perceived technology ease of use; increased functional disability was associated with small differences in perceptions of technology usefulness and usability. Participants who reported higher system ease of use, usefulness, and acceptability subsequently completed more app-based questionnaires and tended to wear their FitBit activity tracker for longer. All effect sizes were small and unlikely to be of practical significance.

LIMITATIONS

Symptoms of depression, anxiety, functional disability, and perceptions of system usability are measured at the same time. These therefore represent cross-sectional associations rather than predictions of future perceptions.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that perceived usability and actual use of remote measurement technologies in people with MDD are robust across differences in severity of depression, anxiety, and functional impairment.

The use of technology for online learning among older adults in Hong Kong

The use of technology to facilitate better living and learning is gaining popularity worldwide. More and more older adults are technology users and participating in online learning. While there is ample research examining the factors affecting older adults' behavioural intention to use technology more generally, less is known about their views of using technology in online learning environments. Applying the model for the adoption of technology by older adults (MATOA) developed by Kenneth Hsiche Wang et al., the authors of the study presented here investigated the attitudes of older adults towards technology adoption for online learning. They interviewed 20 adults aged 52-73 who had enrolled in a diploma course in a higher educational institution in Hong Kong. The results show that participants held favourable attitudes towards online learning after several practice sessions. While they had confidence in their future use of technology, they stated that the availability of technical and social support affected their intention of continuous learning using technology in online settings.

Exposure Detection Applications Acceptance: The Case of COVID-19

The pandemic's context is rife with numerous dangerous threats and high fear levels, influencing human decision-making. Such characteristics are identified by investigating the acceptance of exposure detection apps from the technology acceptance model (TAM) perspective. This study purposed a model to investigate protection technology acceptance, specifically exposure detection apps in the context of COVID-19. Quantitative study approach and a cross-section design targeted 586 participants from Saudi Arabia. As the study model is complex, the study hypotheses were analysed using the structural equation modelling-partial least squares (SEM-PLS3) approach. The findings support the entire model hypothesis except the link between social media awareness and exposure detection apps' intention. Mediation of COVID-19 anxiety and influence was confirmed as well. The current paper contributes to the technologies acceptance domain by developing a context-driven model comprising the major pandemic characteristics that lead to various patterns of technology acceptance. This study also fills the literature gap regarding mediating effects of social influence and COVID-19 anxiety in the relationship between trust in government and exposure detection apps implementation, and between COVID-19 anxiety and exposure detection apps implementation, respectively. The results may assist government agencies, health policymakers, and health organisations in the wide world and specifically Saudi Arabia, in their attempts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic spread.

Antecedents for Older Adults' Intention to Use Smart Health Wearable Devices-Technology Anxiety as a Moderator

The increase in the demands for surveillance of chronic diseases, long-term care, and self-health management has allowed mobile smart health wearable devices to become products with greater business potential in past years. Wearable devices being able to be worn for long periods are the most suitable for 24-h weatherproof monitoring. Nevertheless, most technological products are not developed specifically for older adults. Older adults might be apprehensive and fearful about the use of technological equipment and might appear “technologically anxious”, so it was wondered whether older adults could smoothly operate and comfortably use smart wearable device products, and how “technological anxiety” would affect their behavior and attitude towards using these devices. The variables of “technology readiness”, “technological interactivity”, “perceived usefulness”, “perceived ease of use”, “attitude”, and “intention to use” are therefore discussed in this study. Taking “technological anxiety” as the moderating variable to develop the questionnaire scale, the quantitative research with structural equation model is applied to discuss the older adults’ intention to use smart health wearable devices. The questionnaire was distributed to older adults’ community care centers, senior centers, and senior learning centers in Taiwan, and to an older adults’ group above the age of 60 with experience in using smart bracelets. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed, and 183 were retrieved, with 166 valid copies. The research results reveal that users with higher technology readiness, and older adult users with higher technological interactivity, present a higher perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Technological anxiety would affect users’ attitude and further influence the intention to use. The research results could help understand older adults’ needs for using smart health wearable devices.

[Systematic review of digital technology acceptance in older adults. Perspective of TAM models]

In this study, a systematic review of researches published about the determining factors in the intention of the use of devices and digital technology in older adults has been carried out. The technology acceptance model is the framework used. The main result of the analysis of 60 scientific articles published between 2010 and 2020 has been summarized after a bibliographic research and a subsequent selection process in the most important bibliographic databases: Web of Science (n=45), Scopus (n=66) and Google Scholar (n=224). It has been proved the predominance of quantitative studies with a prevalence of study factors that associate the intention to use technology with: Facilitating conditions, experience, health, social support, emotions, perceived enjoyment, perceived satisfaction in using technology, anxiety, perceived risk, motivation, cost, subjective norm and social influence. The results of the systematic review allow us to conclude the urgent need to incorporate new research on the identification and influence of these factors that stand between older adults and technology, as possible barriers or facilitators of use.

Which Variant of Anxiety Is Associated with Smartphone Expertise in Community Dwelling Older Adults?

OBJECTIVES

Older adults vary greatly in their mastery of state-of-the-art smartphones. Anxiety may function as a barrier to technological expertise. This study characterizes an older community-dwelling sample (n = 71) in terms of their levels of demonstrated smartphone expertise relative to variants of anxiety (e.g., trait, social, tech-related).

METHODS

A 20-step behavioral smartphone challenge task, the Smartphone Task for Older Adults (STOA), was used to evaluate older adults' knowledge of a range of smartphone functions. Self-report measures of anxiety symptoms and perceived digital proficiency were also administered.

RESULTS

STOA scores were relatively low (x = 8.26, s.d. = 5.65) and showed negative relations with tech-anxiety and in-vivo frustration, but not social or trait anxiety. A hierarchical regression model indicated that tech-related anxiety and in-vivo frustration contributed significantly to STOA scores, above and beyond established predictors such as education.

CONCLUSIONS

Tech-anxiety and frustration while learning new smartphone functions may characterize the next cohort of older adults who have not effectively mastered the use of smartphones.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Anxiety management skills derived from cognitive behavior therapy and other self-regulation tools could help those who experience tech-anxiety or frustration during smartphone training, facilitating the development of expertise.

The Investigation of Adoption of Voice-User Interface (VUI) in Smart Home Systems among Chinese Older Adults

Driven by advanced voice interaction technology, the voice-user interface (VUI) has gained popularity in recent years. VUI has been integrated into various devices in the context of the smart home system. In comparison with traditional interaction methods, VUI provides multiple benefits. VUI allows for hands-free and eyes-free interaction. It also enables users to perform multiple tasks while interacting. Moreover, as VUI is highly similar to a natural conversation in daily lives, it is intuitive to learn. The advantages provided by VUI are particularly beneficial to older adults, who suffer from decreases in physical and cognitive abilities, which hinder their interaction with electronic devices through traditional methods. However, the factors that influence older adults' adoption of VUI remain unknown. This study addresses this research gap by proposing a conceptual model. On the basis of the technology adoption model (TAM) and the senior technology adoption model (STAM), this study considers the characteristic of VUI and the characteristic of older adults through incorporating the construct of trust and aging-related characteristics (i.e., perceived physical conditions, mobile self-efficacy, technology anxiety, self-actualization). A survey was designed and conducted. A total of 420 Chinese older adults participated in this survey, and they were current or potential users of VUI. Through structural equation modeling, data were analyzed. Results showed a good fit with the proposed conceptual model. Path analysis revealed that three factors determine Chinese older adults' adoption of VUI: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and trust. Aging-related characteristics also influence older adults' adoption of VUI, but they are mediated by perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and trust. Specifically, mobile self-efficacy is demonstrated to positively influence trust and perceived ease of use but negatively influence perceived usefulness. Self-actualization exhibits positive influences on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Technology anxiety only exerts influence on perceived ease of use in a marginal way. No significant influences of perceived physical conditions were found. This study extends the TAM and STAM by incorporating additional variables to explain Chinese older adults' adoption of VUI. These results also provide valuable implications for developing suitable VUI for older adults as well as planning actionable communication strategies for promoting VUI among Chinese older adults.

Change in the Acceptance of Telemedicine Use Among Older Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Background: Hospital-related coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is of utmost concern among patients and health care workers. Expanding the use of telemedicine may be required in daily outpatient practice; however, the acceptance of telemedicine use is still low, especially among older patients. In an orthopedic practice, no studies have investigated potential factors that can contribute to changes in the acceptance of using telemedicine. Focusing on older outpatients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), we hypothesized that a drastic surge in the number of patients with COVID-19 could trigger changes in attitudes regarding the acceptance of telemedicine use. Methods: A baseline survey was conducted after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan to obtain information on the willingness to use telemedicine among patients aged ≥70 years who regularly consulted an orthopedic surgeon for KOA. A follow-up survey was subsequently conducted during the third wave of the pandemic period to assess changes in the acceptance of telemedicine use in response to the rapidly increasing number of patients with COVID-19. We compared the difference in acceptance of telemedicine use and knee pain status between the baseline and follow-up surveys. Results: In the baseline survey, 11 of 43 patients (25.6%) responded that they would be willing to use telemedicine. In the follow-up survey, patients' acceptance of telemedicine did not change, with the exact same number and percentage of patients who were willing to use telemedicine as in the baseline survey, despite that ∼20% of patients reported improvement in their knee pain status. Discussion: Our findings indicate that older outpatients with KOA did not change their willingness to accept use of telemedicine, even with a drastically increased risk of hospital-related transmission of a potentially fatal infectious disease when visiting a hospital. The acceptance of telemedicine use among older patients might not be less sensitive to external environmental factors but instead might be more sensitive to patients' personal factors, such as anxiety for information technology and resistance to changes in their lifestyle.

Design of an Integrated Acceptance Framework for Older Users and eHealth: Influential Factor Analysis

Background

eHealth and telehealth play a crucial role in assisting older adults who visit hospitals frequently or who live in nursing homes and can benefit from staying at home while being cared for. Adapting to new technologies can be difficult for older people. Thus, to better apply these technologies to older adults’ lives, many studies have analyzed the acceptance factors for this particular population. However, there is not yet a consensual framework that can be used in further development and to search for solutions.

Objective

This paper aims to present an integrated acceptance framework (IAF) for older users’ acceptance of eHealth based on 43 studies selected through a systematic review.

Methods

We conducted a 4-step study. First, through a systematic review in the field of eHealth from 2010 to 2020, the acceptance factors and basic data for analysis were extracted. Second, we conducted a thematic analysis to group the factors into themes to propose an integrated framework for acceptance. Third, we defined a metric to evaluate the impact of the factors addressed in the studies. Finally, the differences among the important IAF factors were analyzed according to the participants’ health conditions, verification time, and year.

Results

Through a systematic review, 731 studies were found in 5 major databases, resulting in 43 (5.9%) selected studies using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. First, the research methods and acceptance factors for eHealth were compared and analyzed, extracting a total of 105 acceptance factors, which were grouped later, resulting in an IAF. A total of 5 dimensions (ie, personal, user–technology relational, technological, service-related, and environmental) emerged, with a total of 23 factors. In addition, we assessed the quality of evidence and then conducted a stratification analysis to reveal the more appropriate factors depending on the health condition and assessment time. Finally, we assessed the factors and dimensions that have recently become more important.

Conclusions

The result of this investigation is a framework for conducting research on eHealth acceptance. To elaborately analyze the impact of the factors of the proposed framework, the criteria for evaluating the evidence from the studies that have the extracted factors are presented. Through this process, the impact of each factor in the IAF has been presented, in addition to the framework proposal. Moreover, a meta-analysis of the current status of research is presented, highlighting the areas where specific measures are needed to facilitate eHealth acceptance.

Factors Influencing Intention to Technological Use in Older Adults. The TAM Model Aplication

The use of digital technology by older adults has improved in recent years in response to the need for their functional adaptation to an increasingly technological social context. Understanding this type of technological adaptation has recently become an important field of inquiry in both social and gerontological studies. Working within this framework, the aim of this study is to identify the main determinants that influence the intention of older people to use digital technology in their daily lives, using the Technological Acceptance Model. A study was carried out with the participation of 1155 people over 65 years of age in Spain. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and structural equation models (SEM) were performed. The results show that the TAM is a useful model to explain the intention of older adults to use Digital Technology, showing a high predictive power, highlighting Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use as the main predictor variables.

Validating the General Extended Technology Acceptance Model for E-Learning: Evidence From an Online English as a Foreign Language Course Amid COVID-19

The present study validated the general extended technology acceptance model for e-learning (GETAMEL) with the survey data from the English as a foreign language (EFL) online class during the novel coronavirus lockdown period. A total of 678 undergraduates participated in the survey. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data. The results showed that the influence of perceived usefulness of students on their intentional behavior to use the online learning system was not mediated by their attitude, indicating a very limited role of attitude toward technology in the model. Enjoyment and self-efficacy had no significant effects on the internal constructs, raising theoretical concerns on the applicability of this general model into specific contexts. In addition, we found that experience might be a moderator rather than an antecedent of the internal constructs in the model.

Proposing a mobile apps acceptance model for users in the health area: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Due to rapid advancements in the field of information and communication technologies, mobile health (mHealth) has become a significant topic in the delivery of healthcare. Despite the perceived advantages and the large number of mHealth initiatives, the success of mHealth ultimately relies on whether these initiatives are used; their benefits will be diminished should people not use them. Previous literature has found that the adoption of mHealth by users is not yet widespread, and little research has been conducted on this problem. Therefore, this study identifies the antecedents of the intention to use mHealth and proposes a general model that might prove beneficial in explaining the acceptance of mHealth. The authors performed a quantitative meta-analysis of 49 journal papers published over the past 10 years and systematically reviewed the evidence regarding the most commonly identified factors that may affect the acceptance of mHealth. The findings indicate that the proposed model includes the seven most commonly used relationships in the selected articles. More specifically, the model assumes that perceived usefulness positively affects perceived ease of use and user behavioral intention to use mHealth is commonly influenced by five factors: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward behavior, subjective norms, and facilitating conditions. The results of this work provide important insights into the predictors of mHealth acceptance for future researchers and practitioners.

The Internet of Things in Geriatric Healthcare

There is a significant increase in the geriatric population across the globe. With the increase in the number of geriatric people and their associated health issues, the need for larger healthcare resources is inevitable. Because of this, healthcare service-providing industries are facing a severe challenge. However, technological advancement in recent years has enabled researchers to develop intelligent devices to deal with the scarcity of healthcare resources. In this regard, the Internet of things (IoT) technology has been a boon for healthcare services industries. It not only allows the monitoring of the health parameters of geriatric patients from a remote location but also lets them live an independent life in a cost-efficient way. The current paper provides up-to-date comprehensive knowledge of IoT-based technologies for geriatric healthcare applications. The study also discusses the current trends, issues, challenges, and future scope of research in the area of geriatric healthcare using IoT technology. Information provided in this paper will be helpful to develop futuristic solutions and provide efficient cost-effective healthcare services to the needy.

The role of quality perceptions and perceived ubiquity in adoption intention of mobile knowledge management systems (MKMS) in semiconductor industry

Purpose

First, this study aims to investigate the effects of quality perceptions (i.e. system quality, information quality and service quality) and perceived ubiquity on engineers’ perceived benefits and perceived user-friendly of mobile knowledge management systems (MKMS). Second, it aims to examine the influence of perceived benefits and perceived user-friendly on MKMS adoption intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative empirical research using an integrated technology acceptance model and information systems success model was used, among semiconductors engineers in Malaysia. There were only 375 usable responses collected, which are at a response rate of 59.52%. The partial least squares version 3.0 was used to analyze the valid data collected.

Findings

The results suggest that service quality plays an important role that would increase the engineers’ perception of MKMS benefits and its user-friendliness. Intention to adopt MKMS was found to be strongly predicted by perceived MKMS benefits as compared to perceived user-friendly.

Practical implications

The findings are valuable for managers, engineers, knowledge management (KM) practitioners, MKMS developers and mobile device producers to enhance MKMS adoption intention.

Originality/value

Despite KM has been well accepted and established in the management science and practice area of study, yet it is still neglected in a “mobile” context. Accordingly, this paper contributes to the research gap.

A User Centered Methodology for the Design of Smart Apparel for Older Users

Smart clothing plays a big role to foster innovation and to. boost health and well-being, improving the quality of the life of people, especially when addressed to niche users with particular needs related to their health. Designing smart apparel, in order to monitor physical and physiological functions in older users, is a crucial asset that user centered design is exploring, balancing needs expressed by the users with technological requirements related to the design process. In this paper, the authors describe a user centered methodology for the design of smart garments based on the evaluation of users' acceptance of smart clothing. This comparison method can be considered as similar to a simplified version of the quality function deployment tool, and is used to evaluate the general response of each garment typology to different categories of requirements, determining the propensity of the older user to the utilization of the developed product. The suggested methodology aims at introducing in the design process a tool to evaluate and compare developed solutions, reducing complexity in design processes by providing a tool for the comparison of significant solutions, correlating quantitative and qualitative factors.

Using Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict People's Intention to Use Mobile Learning Platforms During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Machine Learning Approach

BACKGROUND

Mobile learning has become an essential instruction platform in many schools, colleges, universities, and various other educational institutions across the globe, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The resulting severe, pandemic-related circumstances have disrupted physical and face-to-face contact teaching practices, thereby requiring many students to actively use mobile technologies for learning. Mobile learning technologies offer viable web-based teaching and learning platforms that are accessible to teachers and learners worldwide.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the use of mobile learning platforms for instruction purposes in United Arab Emirates higher education institutions.

METHODS

An extended technology acceptance model and theory of planned behavior model were proposed to analyze university students' adoption of mobile learning platforms for accessing course materials, searching the web for information related to their disciplines, sharing knowledge, and submitting assignments during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected a total of 1880 questionnaires from different universities in the United Arab Emirates. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling and machine learning algorithms were used to assess the research model, which was based on the data gathered from a student survey.

RESULTS

Based on our results, each hypothesized relationship within the research model was supported by our data analysis results. It should also be noted that the J48 classifier (89.37% accuracy) typically performed better than the other classifiers when it came to the prediction of the dependent variable.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that teaching and learning could considerably benefit from adopting remote learning systems as educational tools during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the value of such systems could be lessened because of the emotions that students experience, including a fear of poor grades, stress resulting from family circumstances, and sadness resulting from a loss of friends. Accordingly, these issues can only be resolved by evaluating the emotions of students during the pandemic.

Understanding the Drivers of Wearable Health Monitoring Technology: An Extension of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology

The market for wearable health monitoring technology is promising globally and in Saudi Arabia particularly. The country has a very high prevalence of chronic diseases that can be managed using wearable health monitoring technology. However, wearable devices are not fully advantageous if people do not accept them. Due to the parsimony of studies on the acceptance of wearable health monitoring technology, understanding the key drivers of using wearable health monitoring technology remains uncertain. This cross-sectional study extends the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) to explain the variance in the adoption intention of wearable health monitoring technology. A total of 256 responses were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique, in addition to the importance-performance map analysis. The results indicate that performance expectancy (PE), social influence (SI), facilitating conditions (FC), hedonic motivation (HM) and habit (HA) significantly impact users’ behavioral intention (BI) to adopt wearable health monitoring technology. The results also demonstrate that effort expectancy (EE), price value (PV), government health policy (GHP) and trust (TR) are not important. Based on the findings, this research presents a set of recommendations for decisions makers, managers and system developers in the healthcare sector to enhance the use and quality of wearable technology.