Evaluation of effective factors in the acceptance of mobile health technology using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), case study: Blood transfusion complications in thalassemia patients.

Abstract

Background: Mobile health or MHealth refers to the use of mobile phone in healthcare services to enhance the health level of people. Before using MHealth, it is necessary to study the effective factors in physicians’ adoption and acceptance of technology in the field of thalassemia. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted using the survey and correlation methods. The statistical population of the study consisted of hematologists who were selected using the convenience sampling method. In this study, 58 questionnaires along with structural equations modeling based on partial least squares were used. SPSS and SMART PLS2 were used for data analysis. P values less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: Based on the outcomes of the model from all theories, the coefficient of variation seems to be positive and the possibility of test is lower than 5%. The results indicated that all factors introduced in the proposed model are significantly effective in MHealth technology adoption. Conclusion: In this study, using the inputs from hematologists in hospitals and clinics in Tehran, it was aimed to find the factors affecting the hematologists’ decision to use mobile health technology in reducing the complications of blood transfusion in patients with thalassemia who needed blood transfusion. Thus, plans were made determine to priorities and the existing conditions to implement this new system. Also, the strengths and weaknesses of each factor were measured to improve the weaker factors. UTAUT was used to determine the acceptance factors. After reviewing the results, the use of this model is recommended to physicians.