Exploring Factors that Influence Physicians’ Usage of mHealth on Physician-Patient Communication

Abstract

Background: A desirable physician-patient communication is broadly concluded to be able to reduce waste of medical resources and increase the patients’ confidence in recovery. Along with the rapid development of internet of things, hospitals have largely used mHealth as relationship structure to increase information exchange and relationship be- tween bilateral parties. Drawing on the theories of social exchange and social capital, this study extends technology acceptance model (TAM) to investigate social effects on mHealth adoption. Methods: 120 valid hypertension patient samples were collected with the attending aids of a medical center in Taiwan. Results: The result indicates that the conventional TAM constructs of perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) of mHealth technology are effective in constructing the social capital (mainly relational capital). The social capital (SC) is found to be significant that generated by PEOU and PU in affecting the mHealth adoption. However, negative capital (NC) effect due mainly to excessive structure capital that annoys patients will decrease adoption. Conclusions: While most studies focused so far on the positive outcomes of building relationship with doctors, we have to revealed its dark side as well. And we proof that patients would really suffered in overwhelmed relationships.