Mobile Patient-Provider Communication and Lifestyle Improvement: Examining the Role of Mobile Technology Identity and Health Empowerment

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the span of a decade, smartphones have gained popularity and acceptance among both patients and physicians thanks to their advantages in health care delivery. However, research investigating mobile patient-provider communication (MPPC) and its impact on patients’ lifestyles is only just beginning. Drawing on the pathway model of health communication and mobile technology (MTI) theory, we developed a research model to explore the effect of MPPC on lifestyle improvement, using health empowerment as a mediator and MTI as a moderator. The findings from 432 participants (Mage = 32.5 years old, female = 212) suggested that after controlling for respondents’ age, gender, education, income, and general health status, having greater communication with healthcare providers through mobile devices was positively related to lifestyle improvement and that health empowerment mediated this relationship. Moreover, MTI-emotional energy (MTIE) moderated the direct relationship between MPPC and lifestyle improvement, while MTI-dependency (MTID) moderated the indirect impact of MPPC. Individuals who hold a greater MTIE/MTID were more likely to benefit from MPPC such that they are more likely to be empowered for self-care and maintain healthy lifestyles. This study not only contributes to the growing literature on mobile health communication but also plays a reference role for interventions in patient empowerment and health promotion. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.